The transfer window continues in full swing after Pep Guardiola got his most expensive signing for Manchester City – here is an update on the most expensive deals of the window so far.
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Chelsea face Sunderland in their Premier League opener on August 13, but De Bruyne has only just returned to training after an extended break due to global commitments with Belgium. In De Bruyne, City found themselves a midfielder who would remain as their centre piece for years to come, a ideal number 10 providing City with 15 goals and 14 assists in all competitions last season despite have a two month lay off through a damaged knee ligament.
If Eden Hazard turns up this season he’s one of the best players in world football and they only play once a week, which is a massive advantage.
However, it appears that the Frenchman, who was relegated to isolated training upon the realisation by the coaching staff that Nasri was over a certain weight limit when he came back for pre-season, is heading in the exit direction, even though he lost the required amount of weight in order to rejoin first team proceedings.
Sergio Aguero gave City a first-half lead in Gothenburg, but strikes after the break from Alex Iwobi, Theo Walcott and Chuba Akpom meant a late goal from Kelechi Iheanacho only proved to be a consolation.
De Bruyne was one of the stand-out players in a disappointing league campaign last season and has allayed fears he may miss the beginning of the new term. He is capable of brilliant individual goals that can change matches, but at the age of 33, does he have enough in the tank to cement a place in the XI?
The concern for some in Germany will be that Sane has moved too soon and obviously, only time will tell if that is the case or not, but the opportunity to work with Guardiola in what could be the start of an exciting time at The Etihad.
Perhaps Europe is more important to the City hierarchy this season, and Pep Guardiola has never been knocked out of the Champions League before the semi final stage as a manager. The Ivorian hasn’t scored this calendar year for his club and was left out of the squad for the preseason friendly with Arsenal on Sunday despite having played in the two previous warm-up games against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
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Jonathan is ESPN FC’s Manchester City correspondent.
