Wensdi Gossip

MCFC Editorial

Media Watch: Argentine striker linked?

It’s the morning after the night before and the sports pages continue to dissect City’s impressive 4-1 win over Burnley.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been roundly praised in the media, both collectively and individually, with goal scorer Rodrigo one player to be singled out.
Elsewhere, there’s transfer rumours coming out of Italy, which is where we’ll start this morning…
Transfer gossip
Football Italia: City join Lautaro Martinez chase
“Manchester City have joined Barcelona in the race for Inter hitman Lautaro Martinez, according to Sky Sport Italia expert Gianluca Di Marzio.
“Barcelona have not disguised their interest in the forward, with Lionel Messi urging the club to invest in his Argentina international teammate.
“Now Manchester City have also joined the race, claims Sky Sport Italia transfer guru Di Marzio, looking at the release clause in his contract.
“There is a clause worth €111m, but it can only be activated for a certain number of weeks in the summer by clubs outside of Italy."

Match reaction
Manchester Evening News: City have a new dimension to their team after Burnley performance
Writes Tyrone Marshall: “This was the night Pep Guardiola and his record signing have been waiting for. Whisper it quietly, but at Turf Moor Rodri looked like he belonged in a Manchester City shirt.
“At Turf Moor he showed the quality that had convinced Guardiola to sign him and justified the comparisons with Sergio Busquets back in Spain.
“Rodri was purposeful in possession and committed in the tackle, while he was content to drop deep and take the ball from Ederson or the defence. His decision making of when to press was also much better.
“There will be tougher tasks ahead, but this felt like it was a significant night for Rodri, and he deservedly capped it with a goal."

Sky Sports: Lights go out in Manchester City dressing room but fight for Premier League title burns on
Writes Ben Ransom: “The lights went out in the Manchester City dressing room before kick-off at Burnley - but when the players took to the pitch, they made sure their Premier League title hopes burn on.
“There aren't many more challenging places in English football to come on a cold night than Burnley, especially on the back of a draw at Newcastle that left them 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool.
“But on what could have been an extremely uncomfortable evening, the visitors played with the calm authority of the double Premier League champions they are, controlling midfield even to walking pace at times."