Samir Nasri has not featured in Manchester City’s friendlies against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund because he is overweight, reveals manager Pep Guardiola.
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22-year-old Everton center-back John Stones has been touted as one of the biggest talents in football over the past couple of seasons.
Guardiola also took time to speak about his satisfaction with the squad he has on offer at the Etihad Stadium, in spite of feeling the need to secure the signature of the England worldwide.
Guardiola is still a massive fan of Bonucci, but the Englishman has now emerged as City boss’ top defensive target as the club has ongoing doubts over the long-term fitness of Vincent Kompany.
When asked about Stones, he replied: “It’s the same answer for Sane – he’s a player for Everton”. We have to make it clear [to the players] that we want to build up play in our first process, whether that is defenders or midfielders, and that is why we need players of quality to play in that style.
Midfielder Fabian Delph, who joined his boss to meet the press before Wednesday’s workout, said City’s players knew what they were in for when Guardiola signed on.
“We’ll adjust and do it. Today we played one of the best teams in Europe by far”.
“Normally I’m not a guy to say “you can’t eat that”, I don’t know what they eat normally”. Everybody knows we want to buy him, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. He is an Everton player. He was a member of the Germany squad which reached the semi-finals at Euro 2016. Man City would be breaking their own record, which they set last season with the transfer of Raheem Sterling from Liverpool for £49 million.
He was denied a move to Chelsea last summer when Everton refused to accept their £37m bid, holding out for £40m.
Stones is also (assuming the deal is negotiated quickly) unlikely to be the only new face at Manchester City in the next few weeks or so.
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Angus Gunn wants to stay and fight for his place under Pep Guardiola.
