Manchester City

Manchester City closed the gap on runaway leaders Liverpool to 13 points at the top of the Premier League after beating Sheffield United 1-0 on Tuesday night.

Substitute Sergio Aguero scored a 73rd-minute winner to help the defending champions return to winning ways at Bramall Lane. City squandered the chance to go in front earlier when Blades goalkeeper Dean Henderson denied Gabriel Jesus from the penalty spot in the first half.

Aguero's goal eventually wrapped up an excellent night for the Citizens, who welcomed centre-back Aymeric Laporte back into the starting XI for the first time since August.

However, Liverpool, who have two games in hand, can restore their 16-point cushion with a win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday.

The hosts made it a typically intense affair physically, snapping into challenges, pressing high and scrapping for every loose ball. It was also typical that most of the true quality came from City, with the visitors fashioning two excellent chances early on.

First, Raheem Sterling was denied after a neat one-two with Riyad Mahrez. Then Nicolas Otamendi's acrobatic attempt amid the melee from a corner drew another fine stop from Henderson soon after.

The on-loan Manchester United stopper continued to look unbeatable when Jesus stepped forward from 12 yards after Mahrez had drawn a rash challenge from Chris Basham. It was a nifty save, but there was some question about the 22-year-old's positioning:

Dean Henderson is having some night for Sheffield United 💪

But did he start too far off his line when he saved Gabriel Jesus' penalty? 😬#SHUMCI pic.twitter.com/Y7Pr7WNWdp

— GOAL (@goal) January 21, 2020

There was also a question about the sense of having Jesus take the penalty, considering the Brazilian's mediocre record from the spot:

5 - Gabriel Jesus has failed to score three of his five Premier League penalties (60%) - of all players to have taken at least five in the competition, no-one has a worse success rate than the Brazilian (level with Stewart Downing and El Hadji Diouf). Nervy. #SHUMNC pic.twitter.com/r0R5Vr1HtT

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 21, 2020

City upped the pace of play after the break, with Kevin De Bruyne becoming more involved in possession. The Belgian's range of passing helped find holes in the home side's well-drilled defence, but City continued to lack the necessary finishing touch.

Recognising the need for more cutting edge, Pep Guardiola called Sergio Aguero off the bench to replace the disappointing Jesus in the 67th minute. Yet it was the Blades who went closest to breaking the deadlock when Oli McBurnie narrowly failed to make contact on the stretch with a low cross fizzed across the face of goal.

It proved a pivotal moment, with Aguero tapping in from De Bruyne's pinpoint pass at the other end. The Argentinian has made a prolific start to the calendar year and is on a run few teams in England's top flight are matching:

https://twitter.com/RichJolly/status/1219726858784329734

Blades' boss Chris Wilder responded to the goal by bringing on forward Callum Robinson and box-to-box midfielder John Lundstram. Meanwhile, Laporte made way for Eric Garcia after naturally feeling some wear and tear following such a lengthy layoff.

City stayed on the front foot, though, and Sterling should have put the away side out of sight after some fine work in the box, but the winger slipped his shot a whisker wide with Henderson beaten at the near post.

Ultimately, City didn't need the security of a second goal, instead holding off a committed opponent who proved difficult to beat, but didn't muster enough going forward to trouble Laporte and Co.

   

What's Next?

FA Cup duty beckons for both teams, with the Blades away to Millwall in the fourth round on Saturday. Meanwhile, holders City host Fulham on Sunday.

La Liga President Javier Tebas has issued a thinly veiled dig at Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain for financial "doping." 

Tebas spoke at the launch of La Liga TV and suggested football's governing bodies need to do more to redistribute wealth in the game.

Per Goal's Sean Wilson, he said:

"One of the major issues in European football is related to [financial] doping. Because when we have clubs being financed by states, then that has an impact on salaries.

"That means in other countries with more strict economic controls like Spain and Germany clubs cannot actually ask the state for extra financing to pay those salaries.

"Organisations and institutions have a responsibility to redistribute the wealth that we generate. All of us, the Spanish league, the Premier League, UEFA, FIFA. I don't think we are helping football in any way if we generate wealth and it just goes straight back to the big clubs."

Tebas has repeatedly hit out at City and PSG following the latter's purchase of Neymar from Barcelona in 2017.

The former are owned by Sheikh Mansour, a member of the United Arab Emirates royal family. PSG are owned by Qatar Sports Investments.

Last year, the clubs ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, in Deloitte's Money League, per Tariq Panja of the New York Times:

https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1088388494836334592

They were fifth and sixth again this year, albeit having swapped positions with one another:

#Deloitte Football Money League 2020 ⚽️📊💰

💰➡️ The ”TOP 20” clubs generated a record of €9.3bn (11% increase).

💰➡️ #FCBarcelona becomes the first club to break €800 m revenue barrier

⚽️➡️ 8 English clubs
⚽️➡️ 4 Italian club
⚽️➡️ 3 Spanish /3 German
⚽️➡️ 2 French clubs pic.twitter.com/APjsIx0mWK

— Ornella D. Bellia (@DesireeBellia) January 14, 2020

Their income has allowed them to invest unprecedented sums in building their squads:

First billion euro squad in football history: @ManCity invested an estimated €1.014 bn in transfer fees (add-ons included) to sign current players; @PSG_inside (€913M) & @realmadrid (€902M) not that far; more in last @CIES_Football Weekly Post ➡️ https://t.co/FArDQRyXFj pic.twitter.com/hVrBAKDkpp

— CIES Football Obs (@CIES_Football) September 9, 2019

Unsurprisingly, both have enjoyed a great deal of success as a result.

QSI became majority shareholders in PSG in 2011. Since then, they've won six of the eight Ligue 1 titles available and 16 other domestic honours. For four seasons running between 2014 and 2018, they won all three of the Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue and Trophee des Champions.

City have more competition in England given the wealth and resources of their rivals, but they've also won plenty of silverware since Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group bought them in 2008.

They've won the Premier League title on four occasions, more than any other team in that time. Last season's title was part of a domestic treble, unprecedented in men's football in England. The FA Cup last season was the second they've won under Mansour, while the League Cup was their fourth.

In 2018, German outlet Der Spiegel published allegations based on Football Leaks documentation that both City and PSG have sought to circumvent UEFA's financial fair play regulations:

Leaked papers also show UEFA inspectors found Man City "had hidden 35 million euros in costs from UEFA"; and some Abu Dhabi commercial deals were 80% inflated. PSG and City both threatened UEFA legal action. Gianni Infantino (then at UEFA) did deal to go soft

— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) November 2, 2018

Both clubs have denied wrongdoing.

City are being investigated by UEFA as a result of the allegations and in November lost an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to have the investigation halted. In March, PSG won their appeal to CAS to have an investigation into their finances following Neymar's transfer shut down.

Despite their resources, neither has managed to earn success in Europe. PSG are yet to make it to the semi-finals since their takeover, while City have reached that stage once.

La Liga, meanwhile, have been the dominant force in Europe over the last decade.

Last season's UEFA Champions League final was the first time since 2013 that Spain did not have at least one finalist, as Real Madrid and Barcelona had won the previous five. In the UEFA Europa League, six of the last 10 winners have been from La Liga.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called for the Carabao Cup to be removed from the English football calendar in order to ease the burden on players. 

The Citizens are on course to win their third consecutive League Cup—they lead rivals Manchester United 3-1 following their semi-final first leg—while City will also face Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

Guardiola, 49, said at a press conference that the competition should be removed, allowing for a less demanding winter schedule, via Andy Hampson of the Press Association:

Guardiola would "eliminate" League Cup to ease burden on players #MCFC pic.twitter.com/JWYotCTL7N

— Andy Hampson (@andyhampson) January 20, 2020

The Carabao Cup accounts for two of the five major titles Guardiola has won since he joined City in 2016, but the coach appeared eager to sacrifice the tournament for what he sees as the greater good:

"Eliminate competitions, take out this competition. So less games, less competitions, less teams, more quality, less quantity. People can live without football for a while. It's too much.

"Start the season later after the summer. We have one game a week for a long time and then, after, we start having two or three in one week. In February it is one week (playing), one week (playing), two weeks off. We have two games in two weeks then, after, we have 72 games in one week. It's a little bit strange."

Guardiola said he was "so sorry" for England with regard to Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) and Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), each of whom have seen their UEFA Euro 2020 preparations halted by injuries.

He added: "They want to do well. Clubs have a lot of pressure to win or qualify for the Champions League and we push and push. The body says stop, it's enough."

Premier League leaders Liverpool recently emerged from a hectic December schedule, during which they played nine matches and won eight to tie the club record for victories in one month, per Tom Beattie of the Liverpool Echo. 

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp shares the belief that English football has too many fixtures, having also recently sympathised with England captain Kane after he tore his hamstring, per the Liverpool Echo's Paul Gorst:

Klopp: "These tournaments are played by players, they don't have a break! I feel massively for Harry Kane, he might miss Euros because of too many games. It is not easy. No-one thinks of players; welfare. All authorities need to come together to sort these things. No-one talks."

— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) January 17, 2020

Aston Villa thrashed the Merseysiders 5-0 after Liverpool named their youngest-ever team in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Liverpool fielded their academy prospects before the senior team opened their successful 2019 FIFA Club World Cup campaign less than 24 hours later in Doha, Qatar.

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour recently told TalkSport that Guardiola should see the League Cup—which also contains teams from the Championship, League One and League Two—as a chance to test his young stars:

👊 Ray: “Guardiola should be playing Phil Foden in League Cup games.”

❌ Alan: “Foden can’t go through another season as a bit-part player.”

Alan Brazil & Ray Parlour say Guardiola must stop moaning about the League Cup & play Foden in it!

Agree? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/vC1BpF1hni

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) January 21, 2020

City will play eight matches across three competitions in January, while the Citizens are also set to open the UEFA Champions League round of 16 against Real Madrid in February.

Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Guardiola said "all the managers complained about" the congested calendar but suggested there won't be change in the near future, as the authorities "don't care."

City travel to Sheffield United on Tuesday when Guardiola hopes to temporarily cut down the 16-point gap between them and Premier League pace-setters, Liverpool.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has branded criticism of John Stones in the wake of Saturday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace as "unfair." 

City looked to have saved all three points at the Etihad Stadium when Sergio Aguero's double turned the game on its head after Cenk Tosun's first-half goal. However, Fernandinho's late own goal meant things finished even:

Aguero nearly saved Pep’s birthday, and then… pic.twitter.com/tOAzERBXRB

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 18, 2020

Stones was partially culpable for both Eagles goals, but Guardiola defended the English centre-back ahead of Tuesday's visit to Sheffield United, per ESPN FC's Rob Dawson: "Unfair, yes. We are there [to support him]. I am there, ups and downs in your career, managers always, we know his quality."

Guardiola also said Stones is a doubt for the visit to Bramall Lane:

Pep: "John Stones had a problem in his leg in the last action of the game [on Saturday] and then Mendy has muscular fatigue. I have to speak with the doctors after this press conference."

🚑 @PremierInjuries https://t.co/4KiAUTZjCa#MCFC

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) January 20, 2020

The Blades present the defending champions with another tricky challenge.

Chris Wilder's side are enjoying a superb return to the Premier League in 2019-20 and have lost just one of their last eight home games in all competitions.

Seventh in the table, Sheffield United are firmly in the battle for the European places:

What it all means...#PL pic.twitter.com/GXAHG4hTVn

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 19, 2020

City, meanwhile, have no such motivation in the Premier League this term.

They were already effectively out of the title race before last weekend, but two more dropped points against Palace means the gap between them and leaders Liverpool is now 16 points, and the Reds have a game in hand.

But the Sky Blues are also 14 points clear of Manchester United in fifth place, so there is no real danger of them dropping out of the UEFA Champions League qualification spots.

City's focus must now have surely shifted to winning Europe's top-tier cup competition for the first time.

They will be back in Champions League action on February 26, when they visit the Santiago Bernabeu for the first leg of their last-16 tie against Real Madrid. 

Benjamin Mendy has taken a magnanimous stance following Manchester City's shock 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday and said the result is an example of why football is beautiful.

Cenk Tosun scored his first Palace goal to put the Eagles ahead at the Etihad Stadium, and Fernandinho's own goal sealed an unlikely draw after Sergio Aguero's brace temporarily put City in front.

Mendy, 25, told reporters after the game: "Football is like this—that's why it's beautiful. At the end of the game, we are all angry and sad. I think we deserved more."

Wilfried Zaha forced the 90th-minute equaliser via Fernandinho, leaving Pep Guardiola's side 13 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool having played two games more than the Reds:

Roy Hodgson's side are ninth and 18 points below City in the standings, emerging with a share of the spoils in Manchester after scoring with two of their three attempts on target. The Citizens had 25 shots at goal compared to Palace's five, finishing with more than 70 percent of possession.

It's not the first time in the past two campaigns that the Eagles have shown courage to earn points against the odds in Manchester:

18/19:

Manchester United 0-0 Palace
Manchester City 2-3 Palace

19/20:

Manchester United 1-2 Palace
Manchester City 2-2 Palace

Manchester is red AND blue.#CPFC pic.twitter.com/d88PNdax5M

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 18, 2020

The draw is an even more impressive result for Palace considering the south Londoners travelled with an extensive injury list. Hodgson was missing a raft of first-string players in Luka Milivojevic, Patrick van Aanholt, Mamadou Sakho, Andros Townsend, Christian Benteke, Jeffrey Schlupp and Max Meyer.

City led for three minutes following Aguero's second strike before being pegged back again, and Mendy added:

"We were winning the game. The emotion was crazy.

"The feeling, the atmosphere... we believed we could score.

"In football, you have to be focused until the end. For one or two seconds, we were not ready and anything can happen. We tried to play like Man City play. We drew and we need to forget the game and look forward."

The Athletic's Sam Lee praised Mendy in particular before the French left-back assisted Aguero for his second goal of the afternoon:

Mendy's been very good here even as City struggle a little to cut through Palace. He's looked as likely as anybody to find a pass or a cross

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) January 18, 2020

Palace have now drawn six of their past nine games and are unbeaten in five top-flight outings, posting a salary bill that would pale in comparison to Saturday's opponents.

Mendy can perhaps afford to look philosophically upon the defeat considering City's Premier League title looks to be on its way to Liverpool, but Guardiola may still demand a less forgiving outlook in the future.

Crystal Palace held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to further dent their slim Premier League title hopes.

Cenk Tosun fired the Eagles in front against the run of play in the 39th minute, but Sergio Aguero replied for the Sky Blues in the 82nd and 87th minutes, taking his tally for City to 251 goals.

However, Palace equalised in the final minute of normal time when Fernandinho turned home Wilfried Zaha's cross for an own goal.

City have kept just two clean sheets in their last 13 matches, and Liverpool can extend their lead at the top of the table to 16 points if they beat Manchester United on Sunday.

For Palace, the stalemate was their fourth consecutive draw in the league. 

Kevin De Bruyne and Aguero both came close to breaking the deadlock early on. The former, after missing the target with a first-time effort, rattled the crossbar with a superbly hit free-kick, before the latter forced a good save from Vicente Guaita.

City were perhaps fortunate to escape a penalty when Zaha went down under a challenge from John Stones, but the England international was cleared following a VAR check.

The Athletic's Sam Lee thought Palace should have been given a spot-kick:

Wow. No penalty. Looked it to me!

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) January 18, 2020

After Raheem Sterling headed over, the Sky Blues were made to pay for failing to take their chances when the Eagles converted their first shot on target of the game.

Gary Cahill headed James McArthur's corner into the path of Tosun—on loan from Everton for the remainder of the season—and the striker made no mistake in nodding in from close range.

City should have equalised shortly after the break when Sterling fired wide after being picked out by David Silva, before Guaita made a fine save to deny Bernardo Silva after Cahill had blocked an Aguero shot.

At the other end, the hosts had Ederson to thank when he kept out a Tosun half-volley following a rare counter-attack.

The Manchester side were awarded a penalty after a Jairo Riedewald handball, but the decision was correctly overturned by VAR—the ball had hit his arm after flicking up off his leg.

The hosts finally pulled level when Aguero volleyed home a cross from substitute Gabriel Jesus.

Sergio Agüero has just scored his 250th goal for Manchester City across all competitions.

A goalscoring phenomenon. ⚽ pic.twitter.com/B9B5zi9VJr

— Squawka (@Squawka) January 18, 2020

Minutes later, the Argentinian bagged a second when he met Benjamin Mendy's cross with his head.

18 headed PL goals for Aguero now despite being an inch shorter than Taylor Swift

— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) January 18, 2020

The Citizens were unable to see out the game, though. After beating Stones in a one-on-one, Zaha put a dangerous ball into the six-yard box that went in off City's Fernandinho.

                 

What's Next

City travel to Sheffield United on Tuesday, while Palace host Southampton the same day.

              

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reiterated his desire to remain with the club next season and said he's "100 percent" staying at the Etihad Stadium provided he isn't fired.

Guardiola, 48, is contracted at City until June 2021, but speculation has intensified regarding his future at the club after they've slipped 14 points behind Liverpool in their Premier League title defence.

The City coach told reporters ahead of Saturday's top-flight clash at home to Crystal Palace: "Unless they sack me, I am staying, 100 percent."

Rumours have suggested Guardiola could trigger a break clause in his contract that would allow him to leave this summer, but the tactician denied those reports in November:

Pep Guardiola reiterated his commitment to serving the full term of his contract with Manchester City and denied reports that the contract had a 'break clause' that could allow him to leave at the end of the season https://t.co/vRf5e3oLZQ pic.twitter.com/sImh7Sssj8

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 14, 2019

The ex-Barcelona manager also told reporters in November that he was "incredibly satisfied" with his job in Manchester and was not looking to exit at the end of this campaign.

City have failed to progress past the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in Guardiola's three seasons at the Etihad to date, with the club set to face Spanish titans Real Madrid in the round of 16 in February.

Guardiola also detailed what keeps him motivated to succeed in football as he prepares to go up against Palace coach Roy Hodgson, who is his elder by 24 years, via The Coaches' Voice:

🔵 Pep Guardiola lists the things which keep him motivated as a football manager.

(🎥 @HaytersTV) pic.twitter.com/ItGPKdsIQK

— Coaches' Voice (@CoachesVoice) January 17, 2020

It was during the winter period that Guardiola endured one of his worst patches of form as a manager, winning just twice across a span of seven matches in November and December.

The Citizens will likely have an opportunity to clinch one early piece of silverware as they defend the Carabao Cup, currently leading rivals Manchester United 3-1 following the away leg.

Statman Dave pointed to the spending figures at City since Guardiola took over and suggested their rewards perhaps haven't been worth the expense:

Since Pep Guardiola took charge at Man City, they’ve had a net transfer spend of £527.79m - higher than any other team in Europe.

• Currently 3rd, 14 points off top
• Worse UCL record than Pellegrini
• Sancho, Díaz & Foden (tbc) wasted

Next PL manager to get the sack? 😉 pic.twitter.com/2TOop6AlXP

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 9, 2019

It would take a historic collapse for Liverpool to not win their first top-tier title in 30 years, while Real—who won three straight Champions League crowns between 2016 and 2018—pose a very big threat to City in Europe.

Guardiola may be approaching the end of his City cycle if he doesn't sign a new contract at the club, but he remains adamant he won't be the one to force a split in 2020. 

Manchester City academy graduate Phil Foden has said he couldn't ask to work for a better manager than "great guy" Pep Guardiola, despite concerns regarding his first-team development at the Etihad Stadium.

Foden, 19, made his senior City debut in November 2017 and has racked up 58 first-team appearances under Guardiola, including 22 starts for the defending Premier League champions.

The England under-21 international has scored three goals and recorded five assists in 22 total appearances (eight starts) this season. Foden told Sky Sports:

"You honestly can't ask for a better manager in football. He's so demanding, even me at such a young age, he wants a lot from me, that's what I love.

"He always wants to push me further. He makes you a better player, the best you can be. I'm thankful for that.

"He is a great guy, very down to earth. You can have just a normal conversation with him. If he sees a weakness in someone's game, he will correct it straight away."

It was one year ago that Guardiola, 48, was faced with the question as to whether he'd be willing to loan Foden out, replying in disbelief that the midfielder would stay at City for "many, many years":

FODEN HERE TO STAY⚽️@ManCity boss Pep Guardiola says there is no chance he will send Phil Foden out on loan.

Not even a slight one Pep?🤷‍♂️

More Manchester City news here: https://t.co/58QJhkPbmN pic.twitter.com/UUNAYPte2P

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 7, 2019

The teenager enjoyed something of a breakthrough campaign last season as City won a domestic treble, scoring seven times in 26 appearances, though only 11 of those outings were starts.

City veteran David Silva confirmed in June 2019 that he would leave the Etihad when his contract expires this summer, and there's an argument for Foden to inherit his place in Guardiola's plans.

The Citizens could do with a locally produced talent succeeding in the first team, with the major focus having shifted towards importing ready-made stars since the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008.

The Catalan coach recently shared high praise for his starlet before the player scored and assisted in a 4-1 UEFA Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb in December, via The Coaches' Voice:

🗣️ "He can do it in small spaces. He is so good. He has the pace and the rhythm."

Pep Guardiola is full of praise for young English midfielder Phil Foden.

(🎥 @HaytersTV) #MCFC pic.twitter.com/DgroUeCeyQ

— Coaches' Voice (@CoachesVoice) December 11, 2019

Foden described Guardiola as a "great coach" and added: "It's a pleasure working with him every day. The little details make a big difference. So say we've got Crystal Palace, he will have watched so many games, all the defensive actions, all the attacking actions, so he can make it clear what we have to do in the game."

City star Raheem Sterling is convinced his team-mate belongs among his more senior peers and backed Foden to win senior England honours after he scored in a 2-0 October victory over Zagreb, via BT Sport:

The Telegraph's Jason Burt reported in mid-January that Guardiola intends to see out his current City contract until 2021, with rumours he could leave this summer should Liverpool clinch the Premier League title.

Foden has enjoyed a gradual rise through City's ranks since earning his debut under Guardiola, who could look to the midfielder for reinforcements when Crystal Palace visit the Etihad on Saturday.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said Leroy Sane is only "another week" from returning to first-team training with the club.

The Germany international has not played a competitive game for City this term, as he picked up an ACL injury in the Community Shield clash with Liverpool in August.

City are in action against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, and ahead of that home contest, Guardiola provided an encouraging update on the condition of Sane, per Goal.

"Definitely," said the City boss when asked if he had positive news on the winger. "Leroy is still not training with us, but everything [is] going really, really well and he should be training with us in another week."

Getting Sane back in the squad will be a huge boost for City as they enter a crucial part of the campaign. 

While the Premier League title is surely beyond them—they are 14 points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more—they are still in contention for the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

Although Guardiola has a plethora of attacking talent available to call upon, Sane brings something different to the final third. Typically operating on the left flank, the German can surge around the outside of markers and into dangerous positions.

Per Squawka Football, throughout his career at City, the 24-year-old has also showcased composure in the final third:

Leroy Sané's Premier League career by numbers:

🔵 89 games
🔵 28 assists
🔵 25 goals
🔵 2 titles
🔵 1 Young Player of the Year

Happy 24th birthday. pic.twitter.com/dPHF1pIy8o

— Squawka (@Squawka) January 11, 2020

Although he's not been in action this term, there's still been plenty of discussion surrounding Sane, with Bayern Munich strongly linked with a move for the former Schalke star.

His contract expires at the end of next season too, and there's little sign of an extension on the horizon. James Robson of the Evening Standard noted that Guardiola has done little to shut down speculation about the player wanting to leave the Etihad Stadium:

Guardiola spoke in depth about Sane and how he had to convince #mcfc to sign him. All the questions revolved around Sane wanting to leave - and Guardiola did little to refute that.
Personal opinion is he has the potential to be the very best of Guardiola’s signings at City

— James Robson (@jamesalanrobson) January 11, 2020

Given the quality they have in the wide positions, there's no need for City to hurry Sane back into the team. 

Nevertheless, he is one of the most thrilling and productive wide players in English football when he's at his best. Regardless of whether his long-term future is at City or not, Sane can be decisive in their quest to clinch multiple prizes at the end of the campaign.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hailed Sergio Aguero after he claimed two Premier League records during Sunday's 6-1 demolition of Aston Villa.  

The Argentine surpassed Thierry Henry to become the division's highest-scoring player from abroad with his treble at Villa Park. The striker also broke Alan Shearer's record for most Premier League hat-tricks after gaining the 12th of his career.

According to FourFourTwo, Guardiola congratulated his hitman after the drubbing, stating Aguero "will die scoring goals" after his latest achievements.

"He will die scoring goals. He is one of the best, no doubt. The best is (Lionel) Messi but the rest? Sergio is absolutely one of them.

"All the players in the locker room congratulated him. To break this record of an incredible legend like Thierry Henry it means it’s not just for a short period, it’s many years.

"To be the foreign player with the most goals and hat-tricks speaks for itself.

"It’s an honour to be here the day he achieved that, hopefully he can score more.

"There are players through the incredible history of English football and he is one of them, he helps to make the Premier League and English football better."

Guardiola chose to play Aguero with Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez, and the trio ripped through a hapless Villa defence.

The three forwards shared all the goals between them. Mahrez opened the first half with a brace, and Jesus netted on the stroke of half-time.

Aguero said he enjoyed his double-record achievements and explained Guardiola's tactics and training have enhanced his exploits:

We hear from the hat-trick king himself...🎩💬

🔵 #ManCity #AVLMCI pic.twitter.com/7cNs5l3hMi

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 12, 2020

Aguero's 177 Premier League goals take him above Henry's previous record at Arsenal, making him the most potent import in the division's history.

City resembled the side that stormed toward two consecutive league crowns, and their personality was clearly present against Dean Smith's men.

The champions are back up to second after their win after Leicester City slipped to a surprise 2-1 defeat against Southampton on Saturday.

However, City are still 14 points behind Liverpool after the leaders beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 to claim their 20th win from just 21 matches.