Thursday Gossip

by MCFC Editorial

Media Watch: City eye Deadline Day swoop?

Yellow ties at the ready...

It's Transfer Deadline Day.
Yes, it's that time again - the window will be slammed shut later today - and of course, media outlets across the country are vying to report the latest rumours, poised outside each training ground.
City of course have done plenty of business already but according to some, there may be more to come.
Meanwhile, four former players have their say on the Premier League title race...
Opinion
Football Transfer Tavern: Kevin De Bruyne form key to City attack, says Shaka Hislop
Shaka Hislop: “[If] De Bruyne doesn’t have the injury issues that he had last season, rediscovers the form that he had a couple of seasons ago, I think you’ll see City topping the scoring charts as they did last season."

TalkSPORT: Former City winger expects Pep Guardiola’s double-winning side to get even better
Trevor Sinclair: “I don’t think Pep is the kind of manager to rest on his laurels.
“He’s always after more and it’s difficult to even contemplate that after last season.
“When you look at the front five or six, it’s an absolute joke. Bernardo Silva was absolutely out of this world last year.
“Kevin de Bruyne only played half the games, so that’ll be like a new signing.
“Bringing Rodri in there, he’s performed well in the pre-season games and you would expect him to try and win that position over Fernandinho.
“We’ve not even spoken about Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden, who Pep said is the most talented player he’s ever worked with.
“I don’t think Pep said that to give him a confidence boost, I think he actually believes it. From what I’ve seen, he is an exceptional talent."

Manchester Evening News: Stuart Pearce gives verdict on Manchester City and Liverpool FC's title hopes
Stuart Pearce: "The judgement call on how good [City] were, was how good Liverpool were - and City finished above them.
"It's quite incredible to retain the trophy after the season before, it's a very difficult thing to do. They managed to do that and had a wonderful campaign.
"I think [Guardiola] knew Liverpool were not going to slip up and that put even more pressure on City to keep their standards high and that's exactly what they did.
"You have to admire Pep as a manager, he keeps turning the screw on his squad all the time and expectations are high. [Winning the domestic treble] is rarely done so you have to admire him."

Independent: Richard Dunne: 'The issues that arose at Liverpool over pre-season, Man City don't have anything like that'
Richard Dunne: “It's up to the rest of the Premier League to try and stop Manchester City from winning the title again. And I just can't see anyone, including Liverpool, being able to do that this season.
“Pep Guardiola's men are the team to stop. Again.
“I have watched a good bit of Manchester City in pre-season but it's their business in the transfer market which convinces me more than their form, City just do things the right way in terms of signings.
“It's up to the rest of the Premier League to try and stop Manchester City from winning the title again. And I just can't see anyone, including Liverpool, being able to do that this season. Pep Guardiola's men are the team to stop. Again.
“I have watched a good bit of Manchester City in pre-season but it's their business in the transfer market which convinces me more than their form, City just do things the right way in terms of signings."

Transfer gossip
Sport Witness: Manchester City have ‘serious interest’ in signing 21 year old midfielder before deadline
“Czech website Sport are reporting Manchester City have ‘serious interest’ in a rather unusual signing.
“The Premier League champions are said to be keen on Oscar Dorley, who currently plays for Liberec in the Czech first division.
“Sport say the 21 year old is just starting his third season with Liberec, but he may not finish the campaign there, given the interest from Manchester.
“A potential transfer fee is put at around €800k, and there seems to be optimism that a deal can be done, as long as it beats the transfer deadline at 5pm on Thursday."