“I want to play good”, Guardiola said, with emphasis.
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But the former Everton and Manchester United manager, who is known to want Januzaj and has been told the winger is keen, is pleased to have landed two of his defensive targets. He was originally sold on free transfer as a youth player to Juventes in Italy and now makes his return to Manchester.
The Manchester clubs have hogged the limelight in the offseason because of the coaching arrivals and their heavy spending in the transfer market that reached $400 million Tuesday with the signings of Paul Pogba (for a world-record $116 million) at Man U and defender John Stones at City.
Gary Neville has given his top-four predictions for the coming season, and is tipping Arsenal to come second in the Premier League.
The Argentine endured a hard season previous year as City laboured to a fourth-place finish, with the right-back struggling for form and fitness after knee ligament and ankle problems.
I still await Arsene Wenger to unloosen his strap.
“The Champions League is one of the main targets for this club”, said Zabaleta.
“If you are focused on the pitch and what you need to do then it doesn’t matter what else happens”.
The likes of Allan McGregor (back), Alex Bruce (Achilles), Moses Odubajo (knee) and Michael Dawson (knee) are all out due to long-term injuries, while Harry Maguire is still not ready to play. Newcastle United, Norwich City and Aston Villa were relegated after last season.
I can only see this one going one way; however, the fact that Sunderland have netted in six of their last seven against the Citizens indicates backing a home win with goals for both teams and +3.5 goals is good value at 7/4 and 11/8.
The Spurs solidify their defensive midfield by adding Victor Wanyama next to Eric Dier. He is a stocky box-to-box midfielder that will not be seen much on the stat sheet but deserves great recognition for his brick wall defensive plays and intelligent offensive display. They face a Stoke side, who had a good last season under Mark Hughes, and they should be able to get a draw this weekend.
Lamine Kone only arrived at Sunderland at the start of the year but has quickly cemented his place in the starting XI, while also becoming a fan favourite at the Stadium of light.
It has been a close season of significant upheaval at City, who have also re-designed their club crest, and Kevin De Bruyne has warned that it will take time for Guardiola’s methods to take effect.
Guardiola disappointed City by joining Bayern Munich in 2013, but the suspense finally came to an end last February when it was announced that he would succeed Manuel Pellegrini on a three-year contract. Everton would love to get him to Goodison Park, on loan or as a permanent signing, but their lack of European football makes them an unattractive prospect. Now they have Jose Mourinho and upgrades right through their spine.
Speak of the devil; Red Devil that is!
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An old rival of Guardiola from their time in Spain, Mourinho had made no secret of his desire to be Alex Ferguson’s long-term successor at Old Trafford and will surely be out to prove a point after being sacked by Chelsea last season a few months after leading them to the title.
