EPL Praised as Best League in the World After Man City Win Title on Epic Final Day
May 22, 2022
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Ilkay Guendogan celebrates with Bernardo Silva of Manchester City after scoring their team's third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on May 22, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
What a final day.
Manchester City, needing a win to guarantee itself a fourth Premier League title in five years, found itself trailing Aston Villa 2-0 after 69 minutes. Liverpool, needing a win and for City to drop points to win a title in its pursuit of the hallowed quadruple, found itself down 1-0 after three minutes and even at a goal apiece at halftime.
The stage was set for fireworks, and boy did it deliver.
Liverpool scored two goals within a five-minute span in the dying embers of its game, only to miss out on a title by one point after City shockingly scored three goals within five minutes late in the second half.
BEDLAM AT THE ETIHAD!
İlkay Gündoğan's second goal of the match wins Manchester City the title.
Manchester City concede 2 goals at the Etihad against Aston Villa and score 3 goals in 5 minutes to clinch the title! The English Premier League- The best league in the world!!!
City's remarkable comeback—highlighted by Ilkay Gundogan's brace (76th- and 81st-minute goals) and Rodri's game-tying tally (78th minute)—was reminiscent of its title from 10 seasons ago, when Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero scored stoppage-time goals against Queens Park Rangers to give City a 3-2 win and a title over rival Manchester United on the final day of the season.
It was the first of six titles City has won in the past 11 seasons, with Pep Guardiola guiding the club to four of them.
And now, England's most talented and expensive team gets world-class striker Erling Haaland next season to add to its riches.
Heck of Premier League title race but I fear it won’t be close next year with Haaland
Erling Haaland Transfer Agreed to by Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund
May 10, 2022
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 30: Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund looks onduring the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Bochum at Signal Iduna Park on April 30, 2022 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Joosep Martinson/Getty Images)
Manchester City announced Tuesday a deal has been agreed in principle to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
Manchester City can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the Club on 1st July 2022.
The transfer remains subject to the Club finalising terms with the player.
Per the Guardian, Haaland has a release clause of around £51.5 million ($63.5 million) and will earn roughly £350,000 ($431,000) a week on his new contract from Manchester City, which will begin on July 1.
OFFICIAL: Manchester City announce they have agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign Erling Haaland 🌟 pic.twitter.com/OOwqXMUYyT
Because of his relatively modest buyout clause, many expected Haaland to be on the move this summer. He's one of the best young players in the world, and Dortmund appeared to be limiting his ceiling.
The German side is second in the Bundesliga but 10 points behind champions Bayern Munich with one league game left. Dortmund also failed to make it past the group stage of the Champions League this season.
Haaland wasn't going to be long for Signal Iduna Park following yet another prolific campaign. He scored 21 goals in 23 Bundesliga appearances and three goals in as many UCL appearances.
87 – Erling Haaland has scored a goal on average every 87 minutes in the #Bundesliga; the best minutes per goal ratio of any player in the league’s history (min. 25 goals). Farewell. @OptaJoe@ManCitypic.twitter.com/Yah778Sp0g
Manchester City makes perfect sense for the 21-year-old Norwegian. The club is on course to win its fourth Premier League title in five years, and the most glaring area of need within the squad is at striker.
City has scored more goals (89) than any other club in the Premier League, but it lacks the sort of totemic figure to lead the attack that Sergio Aguero was when he called Etihad Stadium home. Raheem Sterling is the leading goalscorer at 12, and the pair of Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez are right behind him with 11.
In Haaland, Manchester City might have the star who can finally deliver the Champions League triumph long coveted.
Erling Haaland has the best minutes per goal ratio in Champions League history.
A possible risk surrounds whether Haaland will naturally fit within manager Pep Guardiola's system.
Barcelona had similar intentions when it signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2009. Barca won La Liga but exited the Champions League in the round of 16 as Ibrahimovic proved to be an insufficient solution up top. The Swedish legend was gone the following summer and has never hid his general disdain toward Guardiola.
Have no doubt Erling Haaland is a talented player but will be interesting to see how his success at Man City will be judged by two factors: how consistently fit he’ll be in a grueling season and how Pep uses him as a link up player or a poacher who’s always attacking the spaces.
As great as a Guardiola/Haaland partnership looks on paper, the on-pitch returns will hinge on how well the promising attacker can adapt to what's likely to be a slightly more supporting role than he had at Dortmund.
Phil Foden, Family Attacked on Video Backstage at Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook Fight
Feb 20, 2022
Manchester City's Phil Foden reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Manchester City issued a statement in support of midfielder Phil Foden after a video posted on social
media appeared to show his family being harassed at Saturday's boxing
match between Kell Brook and Amir Khan at Manchester Arena.
ESPN reported Sunday the Greater
Manchester Police were contacted after the incident involving Foden's
family and a group of men inside an arena corridor.
"The club is aware of a video
which has circulated on social media showing Phil Foden and his
family being harassed and abused," City's statement read. "We
are shocked and appalled about the nature of the abuse and ensuing
assault on one of Phil's family members. We will continue to give
Phil and his family all the support and assistance they need."
Simon Bajkowski and Joe Bray of the
Manchester Evening News reported the video appears to show one man
throwing a punch toward Foden's mother while another held a fire
extinguisher as a weapon. Foden attempted to remove his family from
the situation before the attack on his mom prompted a strong response.
Foden's family maintains they are "completely blameless" as the Manchester City player attempted to
ignore the men before they became physically aggressive, per Jamie
Jackson of The Guardian.
Brook won the matchup between the two standout British boxers by sixth-round knockout.
Foden attended the fight after playing
all 90 minutes in City's 3-2 Premier League loss to Tottenham Hotspur
earlier Saturday.
The 21-year-old England international
has recorded nine goals and six assists in 27 appearances across all
competitions for the Sky Blues during the 2021-22 season.
City, which sits atop the Premier
League table with 63 points through 26 matches, returns to action
Saturday when it visits Goodison Park to face Everton.
British authorities haven't said
whether any criminal charges will be filed as a result of the
altercation.
Manchester City's Pep Guardiola to Miss FA Cup Tie After Positive COVID-19 Test
Jan 6, 2022
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola gestures during the Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium, in London, England, Saturday Jan. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will not be present for the club's third-round FA Cup match against Swindon Town on Friday after testing positive for COVID-19.
City released the following statement regarding Guardiola's forthcoming absence:
"The City manager recorded a positive test on Tuesday along with assistant Juanma Lillo. Both are now isolating, along with a number of other positive cases within the City first team bubble.
"This brings the number of those isolating for COVID-related reasons amongst the group to 21. Of that number, 14 are backroom staff and seven are first-team players. Assistant coach Rodolfo Borrell will take charge of the team for the trip to Swindon."
The cup tie against Swindon is still planned to go on as scheduled despite City's COVID-19 outbreak, per ESPN's Rob Dawson.
Guardiola is among the most accomplished and celebrated managers in the history of soccer.
He has picked up multiple individual awards and has won championships in many of the top leagues in the world.
Prior to joining Manchester City in 2016, Guardiola won three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies at Barcelona, as well as three Bundesliga titles at Bayern Munich.
At Manchester City, Guardiola has won three Premier League titles. He also led the Citizens to a runner-up finish in the UEFA Champions League last term.
Manchester City is once again in the midst of a dominant season in 2021-22, leading the EPL with 53 points, 10 points ahead of second-place Chelsea.
While City won the FA Cup in 2018-19 with a 6-0 demolition of Watford in the finals, that marked the only time the Sky Blues have reached the final in the past eight seasons.
Manchester City is in a tough spot without its manager and some players because of COVID-19, but it is still a heavy favorite to beat a Swindon Town side that plays in EFL League Two, which is the fourth tier of English soccer.
Manchester City's Joao Cancelo Says He Was Attacked, Robbed While With Family
Dec 30, 2021
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Joao Cancelo of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on December 19, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Manchester City star Joao Cancelo said he was the victim of an assault and robbery Thursday.
The right back shared a photo of an injury he suffered during the attack and said four men assaulted him and "tried to hurt my family." He said his family was unharmed, but the men stole his jewelry.
Horrific experience for Man City’s Joao Cancelo who has announced on Instagram he was attacked by 4 people for his jewellery while with his family pic.twitter.com/PFUkUoaM1N
Joao and his family are being supported by the Club and he is helping the police with their enquiries as they investigate this very serious matter. (2/2)
The robbery came one day after City's 1-0 victory over Brentford in the Premier League. Cancelo started and played all 90 minutes in the win.
Thanks to that result and Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, City has an eight-point lead atop the league table.
Cancelo has been a key figure for the side. The 27-year-old has one goal and four assists in 19 Premier League appearances. He has another two goals and three assists in the Champions League, where Manchester City plays Sporting in the round of 16.
Manchester City heads to London for a match against Arsenal on Saturday. It's unclear whether the injury Cancelo suffered will affect his status for the fixture.
Report: Manchester City Won't Sign Cristiano Ronaldo amid Man United Transfer Rumours
Aug 27, 2021
UDINE, ITALY - AUGUST 22: Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio v Juventus at Dacia Arena on August 22, 2021 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
Manchester City has reportedly pulled out of the race to land superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo in a transfer from Juventus.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City has made it clear that it is no longer in on Ronaldo, and it never agreed to terms with Ronaldo or on a transfer fee with Juventus.
Romano also reported that Premier League rival Manchester United is now preparing an offer for Ronaldo, and the club is "confident" it will be able to land him.
News of Manchester City dropping out and Manchester United swooping in comes one day after Goncalo Lopes of the Daily Mail reported that Man City and Juventus had come to terms on an agreement involving Ronaldo.
It was also reported by Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sports Italy on Thursday that Ronaldo was hoping to be moved by Juventus prior to Tuesday's transfer deadline:
🔹 Man City want to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for free 🔹 Juventus asking for around €25m 🔹 Ronaldo keen to leave Juventus before deadline 🔹 No other club in position to make the move @DiMarzio has the latest from Italy on Cristiano Ronaldo's futurepic.twitter.com/vJH4cywe1E
Di Marzio mentioned Manchester City as the only club positioned to secure Ronaldo, but he noted that Man City wanted to get Ronaldo for free, while Juventus was asking for a €25 million transfer fee.
Rumors of a Ronaldo transfer heated up Sunday when he came off the bench in the 60th minute of Juventus' 2-2 draw with Udinese rather than starting the match.
After the match, Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said it was his own decision to bring Ronaldo on from the bench: "Ronaldo is feeling well. I had talked to him before the game, telling him he would start on the bench. He made himself available, he did well when he entered the pitch."
Juventus vice president Pavel Nedved later said it was a "shared" decision between Ronaldo and Allegri, and he said he could "absolutely confirm" Ronaldo would remain with Juve throughout the season.
If Ronaldo does land with Manchester United, it will mark a return to the club with which he first achieved stardom.
After spending one season in the senior ranks with Sporting CP in his home country of Portugal, Ronaldo arrived at Manchester United in 2003 and spent six seasons with the club. He scored 118 goals across all competitions in 292 matches and 84 goals in 194 EPL matches.
Ronaldo also helped lead Manchester United to three EPL titles and one UEFA Champions League title.
After that, Ronaldo reached even greater heights in nine seasons with Real Madrid and has spent the past three seasons with Juventus.
All told, the 36-year-old has 674 goals across all competitions in 897 career matches, making him one of the most prolific goal scorers of all time.
Securing Ronaldo would go a long way toward helping Manchester United win its first EPL title since 2013.
Cristiano Ronaldo Transfer Rumours: Manchester United in Talks with Star's Agent
Aug 27, 2021
Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the UEFA Champions League group H football match between Young Boys and Juventus at the Stade de Suisse stadium on December 12, 2018, in Bern. - Juventus finished at the Group H summit ahead of Manchester United despite slumping to a 2-1 defeat by Young Boys in Bern, as Manchester United lost at Valencia. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United has reportedly
decided to challenge Premier League rival Manchester City in the race to sign Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who played at Old Trafford from 2003 through 2009.
Ed Aarons and Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian reported Friday that United have opened talks with Ronaldo's
agent, Jorge Mendes. City have been heavily linked to the forward
but haven't made a formal offer ahead of Tuesday's summer transfer window deadline.
Although Ronaldo started his career
with Sporting CP in his native Portugal, his transformation into a
football legend kicked into overdrive after his arrival at United in
2003.
The dynamic attacking threat recorded
118 goals across 292 appearances for the Red Devils, including 42
during the 2007-08 campaign, providing a glimpse of what was to
come at Real Madrid.
Ronaldo joined Los Blancos in 2009 and
proceeded to score at least 50 goals six times during his nine-year
stay at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner
remained a force following his move to Juve in 2018, scoring 33
goals in 39 appearances between Serie A and the Champions League last
season.
Now the question is where the
36-year-old will land after Juventus manager
Massimiliano Allegri revealed Friday that the forward had expressed his intention to
leave the club.
"Yesterday, Cristiano told me that
he no longer has any intention to play for Juventus," Allegri
told reporters. "For this reason, he will not be called
up for tomorrow's game."
Romano reported
City had stopped negotiations with the Portugal international, and he also noted United are growing "confident" in securing a
reunion.
It would be quite a coup for the Red
Devils, who would not only land a player who's still capable of
carrying an attacking unit on his shoulders but also keep him away from their crosstown rivals.
City don't lack star power in attack,
with Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres
among manager Pep Guardiola's options, but Ronaldo could have
made the group borderline unstoppable as the club seeks its first
Champions League triumph.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo would join Marcus
Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho in United's attacking unit if a deal is finalized.
It's unclear whether any other European
giants plan to join the Ronaldo sweepstakes before Tuesday's transfer
deadline, but it appears United are in the driver's seat.
Report: Cristiano Ronaldo 'Definitely' Wants to Leave Juventus, Asks Club to be Sold
Aug 26, 2021
UDINE, ITALY - AUGUST 22: Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio v Juventus at Dacia Arena on August 22, 2021 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has "definitely decided to leave" his current club amid transfer speculation, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Romano added Ronaldo won't be available for the next match, and Juventus is awaiting an official bid from Manchester City.
Rodrigo Faez and Gabriele Marcotti of ESPN reported Manchester City are "close" to reaching an agreement to sign the forward. Juventus are reportedly seeking around €28 million on a transfer fee.
The move would come just over a week after Ronaldo fired back at transfer rumors in an Instagram post.
"More than the disrespect for me as a man and as a player, the frivolous way that my future is covered in the media is disrespectful to all the clubs involved in these rumours, as well as to their players and staff," the player wrote.
Manchester City could be looking for a new high-priced option after initial target Harry Kane reaffirmed his commitment to Tottenham.
The reigning Premier League champions already set a British record with the acquisition of Jack Grealish to go with other attacking players like Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and others. The club could now get even stronger by adding one of the best players in the world over the last 20 years.
Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or five times in his career, helping Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus all win league titles. He has a combined five Champions League titles in his career and could help Manchester City win its first after losing in the final last year.
The 36-year-old also remains a threat on the pitch, scoring 60 goals in 66 Serie A matches over the last two seasons.
It could create an exciting partnership if Manchester City is able to complete the move before the transfer window closes Tuesday.
Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy Arrested, Charged with Rape and Sexual Assault
Aug 26, 2021
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 15, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has been charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Authorities in the United Kingdom said the alleged assaults occurred between October 2020 and August 2021. Mendy is currently in police custody and due to appear in court Friday.
Benjamin Mendy charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Police statement: pic.twitter.com/Pe2O2Uiibb
Manchester City announced Mendy has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
"The matter is subject to a legal process and the Club is therefore unable to make further comment until that process is complete," the club said.
City signed Mendy for £52 million in July 2017 after he had helped AS Monaco win Ligue 1 in 2016-17. He played just five games for the club before suffering a torn ACL, and further injuries have limited his impact at the club. The 27-year-old has logged 75 appearances across all competitions.
Mendy started in Manchester City's 1-0 loss to Leicester City in the Community Shield and played 78 minutes in the team's 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur to open the 2021-22 Premier League season.
