Manchester City

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Rodri this, Rodri that. Yes, it goes without saying that the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is absolutely integral to the way Manchester City operate and just how successful they are on the pitch. But without him, there are two elements keeping Pep Guardiola's side alive.

Had it not been for two players at the weekend, and in many games already this season, who knows how much lower we would be in the Premier League table.

No, it is not Kevin de Bruyne. It is not Josko Gvardiol. It is not Ederson or Stefan Ortega Moreno.

We are talking about Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland, and should City's injury list get even worse through problems to either of those two, you can almost certainly write the entire campaign off.

In the Portuguese defender, you have a natural leader. The true captain in City's defensive line. One who commits his entire life to his profession and, at the moment, is keeping the club from shipping three goals a game - or at least that was the case at Selhurst Park.

There is a calmness and an assured presence to his game. No erratic lapses of judgement, but a seamless transition into various strategies deployed by Guardiola and, at times, Dias is having to pass that on to other members of the squad.

Perhaps if sentimental value was not at the heart of leadership votes in previous seasons, we would be looking at Dias as the Manchester City captain, and one for years to come at that.

And then we turn to Haaland. Fifteen goals separate the Norwegian from a six-man cohort of City players tied on three goals in the top-scorer rankings this season. Has he been perfect? Absolutely not, and I'm sure he would be the first to admit that himself.

But can you imagine a scenario where the 24-year-old sustains an injury and Guardiola is forced to turn to the rest of his squad to deliver the goals? It is possible, and one we would rather not imagine.

For now, while Guardiola awaits the returns of his injured stars, Haaland and Dias remain the glimmer of hope for a successful season.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Manchester City are willing to offer forward Oscar Bobb or midfielder James McAtee as they look to convince Bayer Leverkusen to part company with 21-year-old Germany winger Florian Wirtz. (TBR Football), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Allan asked: Having watched Cole Palmer deliver yet another fine performance yesterday, and what a superb footballer he is, I just wondered if it is known whether Manchester City inserted a 'buy-back clause' when he was sold to Chelsea?

Phil answered: Hi Allan, there is no "buy-back clause" in the deal, but at the time it was reported by the BBC that Manchester City could get a further £2.5m in add-ons on top of the £40m fee.

Just imagine how much Palmer is worth now?

What is becoming clear is that Manchester City have done Chelsea a huge favour by selling them a young player who has taken the Premier League by storm.

Pep Guardiola will be criticised, of course, for parting with such a talent, but in his defence he said of the deal at the time that he asked Palmer to stay after Riyad Mahrez left, but he still wanted to leave.

With the benefit of hindsight, and City's need to refresh their squad, Guardiola may now wish he had stood firm and told Palmer to bide his time for regular first-team football.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Crystal Palace fans

Keith: Keith: The only reason Palace are near the bottom of the league are the injuries to key players. Now players are coming back to full fitness they will climb the table. This performance was very good but there's far more to come. I thought we could have won it, but a draw is a fair result.

Christopher: Palace should play like that each week - pressing hard, great counter-attack and passing. Shame the chances Palace had didn't end up in the net. Some missed opportunities that I thought could have come back and punished us… Palace could have won comfortably - Well played Eagles!

Bob: I've said it week in week out that both Will Hughes and Daniel Munoz are our best and consistent players in the team. They fight tirelessly on and off the ball in every game. We talk about losing Michael Olise, Joachim Andersen and possibly Marc Guehi, but losing both Will and Daniel would be a far greater loss.

Neil: Last season, the Eagles had a strong finish, but have lost key players and it has taken time to produce some form this season. Given the league is so competitive, this is exacerbated by injuries; Palace don't have the depth of other London sides and it has taken a worryingly long time to find form. But a draw against City is a good result.

Man City fans

Brian: City are short of defensive pace and man-marking awareness. Palace again proved that City fear the direct ball and too often fail to pick up their man in the box. The lack of confidence in defence is leading to frustration in attack. It is Christmas and City are handing out gifts.

Mark: We're miles off it this season, injuries or not. Even when we had a near fit squad and winning matches we weren't playing great, and now the injuries are piling up we've gone into freefall. Not sure Pep has any answers as to how we get out of it as well and it might be a top six fight the way it's going.

Rich: City keep leaking early goals. Pep's rematch preparation must be at fault. That said the sending off of Rico Lewis when he was fouled was bad refereeing.

Pat: Not for the first time this season, the starting line-up baffled me. Other than Kevin de Bruyne and Ruben Dias, our two best players mid-week were Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, so to me were dead certs to start this game.Jack brings control, creativity and virtually never gives the ball away. Jeremy terrorises defenders on the left. The issue was a lack of control in midfield and Jack (along with KDB and Ilkay Gundogan) would have brought this today.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

This is the fewest points that Manchester City have had after 15 Premier League games under Pep Guardiola.

However, they have just two points fewer than in 2020-21 when they won the title and three points fewer than last season when they also won the title - although their goal difference is down this season.

They were six points behind leaders Arsenal at this stage last season. They are currently eight behind Liverpool having played a game extra than the Reds.

Manchester City could swoop to blow Liverpool away in a deal to sign 25-year-old Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's four Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-2 Man City

• Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have recovered 14 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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Manchester City's iffy spell of form has extended to one win, the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, in nine matches - a run going back to the end of October.

That Forest win clearly has failed to herald the start of them rediscovering their form.

There was plenty to be concerned about here.

Kyle Walker was found wanting for both Palace goals. He kept Munoz onside for the first and was beaten far too easily in the air by Lacroix for the second.

Stefan Ortega, preferred in goal to Ederson for the third game in a row, might have done better with the opener too as he let it go through his body.

And they will now be without Rico Lewis for next weekend's Manchester derby after his red card for two bookings.

Two more big games are coming up for City as they visit Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday and host rivals Manchester United next Sunday.

Can Guardiola get his team to rediscover their swagger?

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Pep Guardiola spoke to BBC Sport after Manchester City's draw against Crystal Palace: "We take a point. We fought incredibly and came back twice.

"It's a season to suffer. We'll see what happens in the last month.

"We tried. Big compliment for the opponent.

"We cannot talk about the title race when we lose four games in a row and draw. We'll try to recover players. We'll see in the last month.

"We have to do more games to be consistent. It's difficult in the situation we have. I'm really pleased for the players - they fought and did everything."

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Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva spoke to BBC Sport after Saturday's draw against Crystal Palace: "With Man City it's always two points lost. One point is better than zero but we're not happy at the moment. We know our situation with injuries. Coming to Crystal Palace is never easy but we have to do better.

"When I finish a game and I get a point I'm not happy. It's not the way we built this team, it's not our standard.

"We know how tough it is to come here when we have all our squad and we're in top form. We have to do better, we have to react better to the second balls. We have to give them less opportunities on set-pieces.

"We created a few chances and that wasn't our problem because we scored two.

"We're in December. We'd like to be in a different position. If we recover our players quickly we can always do it. But right now our concern is a different one. If we're fourth or fifth we have to look at winning the next game.

"The last month and a half have not been good enough."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Crystal Palace’s performance

What did you make of Man City’s display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Saturday's Premier League action after the postponement of the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool because of adverse weather conditions, and we will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Southampton

• Brentford v Newcastle

• Crystal Palace v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester United v Nottingham Forest - 17:30 - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 15 he takes on Dougie Payne, bassist with rock band Travis.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Crystal Palace's win at Ipswich on Tuesday was huge for them, and it was comfortable enough in the end.

Manchester City finally returned to winning ways against Nottingham Forest - and it was a result they fully deserved - but are they really back?

What happens at Selhurst Park should give us an idea, and this is not an easy game for them. Forest had chances at Etihad Stadium when the score was 1-0 and I am still not convinced by City's defending.

They were much better going forward with Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku in the team against Forest, though.

Doku gave them the energy and ideas out wide that they have been missing and, while he is not the finished article, he is always a handful with his dynamism and the way he drives at teams.

On his day, he can be devastating and it might be a moment of magic from him that makes the difference here, and breaks down a stubborn Palace side.

Payne's prediction: 0-3

With De Bruyne back, City look like themselves again. I can see Erling Haaland scoring buckets of goals again soon, because he just looks so annoyed.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Crystal Palace (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "Nathan [Ake] is out. Manuel [Akanji] - we'll see. Still they are out [longer-term players]." Guardiola added that Phil Foden is still out.

• On Kevin de Bruyne: "I'm not involved in that [discussions over his future at the club]. I would like to have him at 23 years old and sign a contract for 10 years. We'll see. The player, the impact, legacy of the club will be forever. It's not easy [to replace him]. As a club, in the moment it happens, we have to find the best way."

• On Jack Grealish's position: "He has attributes to play there [in a central role]. I think [when he was at] Aston Villa [he played] from the left position, the winger position, going more inside. Here, more of a fixed position. But he can adapt perfectly in both positions."

• When asked about Grealish's fitness, Guardiola added: "All the players are struggling for their fitness condition right now - the injured players and the players who are fit. That's why I said it depends how you are going to feel [for the] next games."

• On Crystal Palace: "They finished unbelievably last season. Their last 10 games was maybe the best, [they were] one of the best teams. The patterns they have are so aggressive. They are really good and it's so difficult to make build-up."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Crystal Palace v Manchester City on Saturday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Manchester City have lost their past five away games in all competitions, most recently losing six in a row back in February 1994.

The last reigning top-flight champions to lose six away games in a row were City themselves during the 1968-69 campaign.

Manchester City will allow Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 33, to join one of the City Football Group's sister clubs when he leaves the Premier League side. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

But David Beckham's Inter Miami have made De Bruyne their main transfer target. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column