Manchester City

Gabriel Jesus has said it is not easy having to compete with Sergio Aguero for the No. 9 spot at Manchester City. 

The Brazilian has only started four of the defending champions' 12 Premier League games in 2019-20, while Aguero has netted nine goals in 11 appearances.

Speaking to The National (h/t Chris Burton of Goal), Jesus hailed Aguero's position as City's all-time record goalscorer, and he said he respects whatever decision manager Pep Guardiola makes:

"Sometimes it's not easy to talk about who deserves to play. Sergio [Aguero] is top scorer of the club so it is not easy for me. I want to improve and want to help him and the club to score every game and win the title. I always respect the opinion of the manager. Whoever he picks, it's the best decision for the team."

Jesus, 22, signed for City from Palmeiras in January 2017 and initially pushed Aguero out of the first team.

However, Aguero then reestablished his position as City's premier marksman with his consistently impressive performances.

Aguero is in rarefied company in the history of the Premier League:

Sergio Aguero:

20+ goals in six different seasons – one short of Alan Shearer's record.
20+ goals in five consecutive seasons – the same as Thierry Henry.

What a player. pic.twitter.com/pHuqgXCWhL

— bet365 (@bet365) April 28, 2019

After a typically brilliant start to the season, he is well on his way to hitting the 20-goal mark again in the 2019-20 Premier League.

Jesus has a decent record for the Sky Blues with 30 goals in 77 appearances in the Premier League—38 of his outings have come from the bench.

Patience will be necessary for the Brazil international in his bid to become City's first-choice striker, and he has already said he will take opportunities where he can get them on the flanks:

https://twitter.com/RichJolly/status/1190176965980049408

But, given Aguero is nine years his senior, Jesus' time will eventually come, and he will surely benefit from having played under the Argentinian for so long. 

Premier League champions Manchester City have announced club-record revenue of £535.2 million in their 2018-19 annual report. However, the club remains subject to a UEFA financial fair play (FFP) investigation. 

City released the results of their 2018-19 report via the club's official website, which included profits of £10.1 million, despite broadcast revenue being the only department that appeared to experience growth:

🗞 Headlines from new #ManCity Annual Report: City’s revenues rose almost 7% to £535.2m in 2018-19, and the Club posted a fifth consecutive year of profit.

Watch out for more #ManCityAnnualReport stats today and over the next few days 📈

FULL REPORT ➡ https://t.co/zTg6dVKx9Q pic.twitter.com/qzJBjRW4Fu

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 19, 2019

European football's governing body, UEFA, continues to investigate City for alleged breaches of rules regarding FFP, third-party ownership and youth recruitment. 

City recently had an appeal against the investigation to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled "inadmissible," per Goal's Dom Farrell. They could face a ban from the UEFA Champions League if the governing body's Club Financial Control Body finds them guilty of the alleged offences.

Pep Guardiola led the Citizens to their first successful Premier League defence last season, not to mention the club's first domestic treble as they also clinched the FA Cup and Carabao Cup titles.

New York Times reporter Tariq Panja asked why the incumbent Premier League champions hadn't thrived more in the commercial sector, where they recorded almost a £5 million loss compared to 2017-18:

https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1196782208033443840

Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak published a statement reacting to the new financial report. There, he praised last season's six titles (across men's and women's teams) as "an outcome that represents not just a season, but a decade of hard work."

Al Mubarak continued:

"As intended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour, our organisation is now at a level of maturity that enables us to plan on multi-year cycles both in terms of our management of squads and more widely across the business. This strategic planning has allowed us to create an environment in which continued on-pitch success is both possible and likely, and financial sustainability is a reality."

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire said he expected last season's Champions League winners, Liverpool, to leapfrog City in revenue when they announce their figures for 2018-19:

City's revenue growth nearly all due to increased Champions League TV money, which was up by £32m and domestic TV money up £11m. Expect Liverpool to overtake City though when they publish their results for 18/19 pic.twitter.com/4ielsdmUUe

— Kieran Maguire (@KieranMaguire) November 19, 2019

This is the second year in a row that City have announced revenue in excess of £500 million. The report also revealed a wage-to-revenue ratio of 59 per cent, though this is close to the Premier League average, per Deloitte.

The Citizens have grown close to matching fierce rivals Manchester United, who announced their own record revenue of £627 million in September and regularly compete among the most valuable clubs in the world. However, the Red Devils are expected to suffer in that regard as a result of their Champions League absence.

City could themselves suffer an enforced hiatus from Europe's top-tier competition depending on the ruling of their UEFA investigation, a punishment that would be sure to hinder future revenue streams.

Yaya Toure has said he regrets not winning the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City before departing the Etihad Stadium in 2018. 

The four-time African Footballer of the Year won three Premier League titles with City after arriving from Barcelona.

However, Toure was unable to help his team to victory in Europe's biggest club competition.

Speaking to Henry Winter of The Times (h/t the Manchester Evening News' Charlotte Duncker), Toure explained his primary regret before exiting Manchester.

"I didn't do enough," Toure said. "I missed winning the Champions League with City. There's a lot of pressure. The Champions League is all the great teams, they are clever, they have this sharpness."

Toure was a defensive presence during his career at the Camp Nou, but his 2010 move to City saw him become one of the most dangerous goalscoring midfielders in the Premier League.

The 36-year-old now plays for Qingdao Huanghai in China and has expressed an interest about moving into management once he retires:

"I just want people to give me a chance, and they'll not be disappointed. I will carry on playing, maybe a few years. Premier League, Championship, depends, but being a manager is something I'm looking forward to a lot. I will start my badges. My big brother Leon is going to help me with that. I want to be close to my family."

Toure also spoke about the toughest opponent he played against in England, naming Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic.

"Nemanja Matic was complicated," Toure said. "He's not quick but he's so strong, clever. All the rest of the opponents, because I always looked at them carefully before games, I get their weakness."

The Ivory Coast international could carry on playing, but a lack of mobility was evident during his final year with City.

Toure was underrated as a tactician on the pitch, and his timing and box-to-box ability were world-class when he was at his most potent.

The midfielder could develop into an excellent coach in the years ahead, following his brother Kolo Toure into the backroom of a football club. Kolo has had success after working under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic and is now a first-team coach at Leicester City.

Rodrigo believes he has more to offer the Spain national team now after his summer move to Manchester City from Atletico Madrid.

The 23-year-old has been included in the squad for Spain's upcoming UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers against Malta and Romania:

📝 ¡Estos son los 23 convocados por Robert Moreno para los dos últimos partidos de la fase de clasificación para la #EURO2020! #UnidosPorUnRETO pic.twitter.com/yCyT7qPWgq

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) November 8, 2019

La Roja have already qualified for next summer's tournament, but they can guarantee top spot in Group F if they beat Malta, No. 182 in FIFA's world rankings, on Friday.

Rodrigo believes he has become a more complete player in the four months since moving to City, and he is confident he now has more to offer Spain manager Robert Moreno, per the Press Association (h/t Sky Sports):

"When you decide to make a change, it's for individual growth, and it's been good for me. It's a competitive league, the football is more direct and makes you learn. I am a more complete player and I can contribute something more to the national team."

Under Pep Guardiola in 2019-20, Rodrigo has played in 10 of City's 12 Premier League games.

Due to a spate of injuries in the Sky Blues' back line, he has had to deputise at centre-back on a couple of occasions.

But, in the main, he has been deployed in his more natural central midfield role, and he has been impressive:

Rodri, Man City vs Fabinho, Liverpool 2019-20. pic.twitter.com/sowBLPeo1q

— Hudl Statsbomb (@Statsbomb) October 29, 2019

City, though, by their incredibly high standards, are struggling at the moment.

Sunday's 3-1 loss to Liverpool saw the defending champions drop nine points back in the Premier League title race:

A dramatic #PL weekend pic.twitter.com/4nNdSH0kPY

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 11, 2019

City were able to overturn a 10-point deficit to win the league last term. But given Liverpool's remarkable form so far in the 2019-20 campaign—they have dropped just two points in 12 games—City can afford no more slip-ups.

They are back in action after the international break on November 23 when they host in-form Chelsea.   

Gabriel Jesus has said there is rivalry between him and his Manchester City team-mates Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi when they meet on the international stage.

The 22-year-old striker will face his Argentinian club-mates on Friday when Brazil play La Albiceleste in a friendly in Saudi Arabia.

Jesus said ahead of the clash that, despite spending most of his time on the same team as Otamendi and Aguero, they are rivals when they meet on the international stage, per the Press Association (h/t Sky Sports):

"It's always good to play a match of this magnitude—Brazil and Argentina is the greatest soccer classic. I always play very hard, with star players on the other side, too. Hopefully it is a good show, and hopefully, we will be victorious.

"I talked to Otamendi, I was joking with him—I said if he bumped me, I would give it back. When we are together in the club, we all swim in the same direction. Now I defend my country, and they [defend] their own country. Let them do their best, but there is rivalry."

Jesus, Aguero and Otamendi were all part of Pep Guardiola's City squad for their 3-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.

2016—Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City
2016—Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
2018—Liverpool 4-3 Manchester City
2018—Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City
2019—Liverpool 3-1 Manchester City

It’s another nightmare at Anfield for City 😱 pic.twitter.com/dh6kdt4079

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 10, 2019

The defeat saw the defending champions drop nine points behind the Reds in the 2019-20 title race:

A dramatic #PL weekend pic.twitter.com/4nNdSH0kPY

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 11, 2019

What Guardiola will be hoping for during the international break is that none of his squad pick up any injuries.

The Sky Blues cannot afford to drop any more points in their upcoming matches if they are to claw their way back into contention to win a third successive Premier League title.

The quality of opposition remains high for City's next game on November 23, when they host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

Frank Lampard's Blues are on a winning run of six successive matches in the Premier League.

By the time they face Chelsea, City could be 12 points back from Liverpool, who play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park earlier in the day.   

Manchester City have reportedly written to Mike Riley, the general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, to express their concerns over VAR.

According to the Telegraph's Tom Morgan, City have joined Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion in reaching out to former Premier League referee Riley.

Per Sky Sports News' Rebecca Williams, Riley will meet with club shareholders and Premier League executives to discuss the system:

Referees Chief, Mike Riley likely to face a grilling from clubs about VAR at the shareholders' meeting on Thursday. It is our understanding that he is expected to show data at that meeting, demonstrating that VAR has reduced the number of wrong decisions made by officials.

— Rebecca Williams 📺 (@RebeccaTVnews) November 11, 2019

Per Morgan, clubs are set to debate whether managers should be able to appeal to VAR after a refereeing decision and call on referees to personally consult footage on pitchside monitors.

Unlike in other European leagues where VAR has been implemented, Premier League referees are only allowed to review replays themselves if they have not seen an incident or if VAR information is "outside the expectation range of the referee."

It's said Riley is "determined to oppose" Premier League referees following the suit of their European counterparts, though.

City were unhappy with VAR on Sunday after they were not awarded a penalty for a Trent Alexander-Arnold handball, moments before Fabinho scored at the other end:

VAR said no penalty - do you agree?

📺 Watch live now on Sky Sports PL or follow here: https://t.co/tIbipDtyYB pic.twitter.com/JaeozYHVQd

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019

Manager Pep Guardiola's annoyance with the officials was plain to see during and after the match:

"Thank you so much..." 🤔

📺 Watch full reaction live on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/CTECmWAoHB

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019

Per The Athletic's Sam Lee, when asked for his take on VAR, Guardiola said questions should be directed to Riley instead:

Guardiola on VAR, same as after Aston Villa game: "Ask Mike Riley and the big bosses." Insists his "thank you very much" to Oliver was not sarcastic. Journalist points out we can't speak to Mike Riley etc. Guardiola: "that's the point".

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) November 10, 2019

Despite the officials having had little opportunity to work with VAR beforehand, the system was implemented relatively smoothly at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

However, its launch in the Premier League this season has been especially turbulent, with controversial decisions—or VAR's failure to intervene in some circumstances—occurring every matchday.

It's still early days when it comes to using the system, but it has shown little sign of improvement as the weeks have gone by.

Sports such as rugby and cricket have shown that video reviews can work, but it's clear it will take time for football to perfect it, particularly in the Premier League.

Former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has called on the club to sign a defender in January. 

City, who have used midfielder Fernandinho at centre-back throughout the season with Aymeric Laporte injured, were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool on Sunday.

Toure wants to see City bring another defender in so Fernandinho can revert to his normal position:

"In January they have to get a defender. It is not too late."

Man City legend @YayaToure believes Pep Guardiola could go big in the January transfer window.

More: https://t.co/FzN5Y8ImZ2 pic.twitter.com/mthdTnkF4i

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 14, 2019

Per Sky Sports News, he said:

"I think it is going to be hard, but in January City have to get a defender. It is never too late.

"I don't want to blame Rodrigo, but if Fernandinho was in the middle it would be really important. City miss him in there. He is strong, sharp, clever and anticipates and tackles. I respect the decision of the manager, but I don't like him in defence."

Laporte, City's best defender, suffered a serious knee injury at the end of August that could keep him out for six months.

The Sky Blues were also without first-choice goalkeeper Ederson for the trip to Anfield.

Tariq Panja of the New York Times thought it was telling that manager Pep Guardiola has continued to deploy Fernandinho in defence even with natural centre-back Nicolas Otamendi on the bench:

https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1193586195554611200

John Stones partnered Fernandinho at the back, but Guardiola appeared to lose faith in him last season. The England international started just 20 Premier League games, and he didn't feature in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase or the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News questioned why City did little to improve their defensive options in the summer:

Players on United's bench today (Romero, Rojo) would improve this City side. Embarrassing how they did next to nothing about their defence but re-sign an old youth teamer.

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) November 10, 2019

Given Eliaquim Mangala and defensive talisman Vincent Kompany left in the summer, it's strange Guardiola did not bring in a new centre-back if he doesn't have much trust in Otamendi or Stones.

City swapped Danilo for Juventus' Joao Cancelo in a like-for-like right-back trade plus money for the latter, while 19-year-old right-back Pedro Porro was bought from Girona and immediately loaned to Real Valladolid.

The club also re-signed left-back Angelino from PSV Eindhoven, having sold him to the Dutch club last year.

Guardiola's side only conceded 23 goals in the Premier League last term, but they've already shipped 13 this season in 12 matches.

They've also lost three times, having only suffered four defeats in the entirety of the last league campaign.

Bernardo Silva has been suspended for one match for the racist tweet he sent to Manchester City team-mate Benjamin Mendy in September.

The Times' Martyn Ziegler relayed the Football Association's announcement on Wednesday:

Bernardo Silva banned for one match by the FA for his racially offensive tweet to team-mate Mendy pic.twitter.com/HSwKnOnDEx

— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) November 13, 2019

In the since-deleted tweet, Silva placed a photo of Mendy as a child alongside a picture of the mascot for Spanish confectionery brand Conguitos: 

Understand that the Football Association are looking into this tweet allegedly posted by Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva earlier today. Tweet was later deleted #mcfc pic.twitter.com/xxVfMaU6Xw

— Jacob Steinberg 🎗️ (@JacobSteinberg) September 22, 2019

Silva followed up the tweet with another hitting out at the reaction to it:

Can’t even joke with a friend these days... You guys... 🤦🏻‍♂️

— Bernardo Silva (@BernardoCSilva) September 22, 2019

The Portugal international must also pay a £50,000 fine and complete compulsory face-to-face education.

City boss Pep Guardiola repeatedly defended Silva over the tweet:

🗣 Guardiola: "Maybe what I say as advice is to hide social media. If something happened it would be a mistake.

"Bernardo is an exceptional person. A guy who can speak five languages, because he’s open-minded – nothing about the colour of the skin, nationalities or whatever." pic.twitter.com/eqvg1LwGcj

— GOAL (@goal) September 24, 2019

Football journalist Alex Keble suggested Guardiola also merited education and a ban on his part:

To say focus should be on other issues, to say Silva isn't that type of player... This is the same language used by bigots to excuse the culture. Don't think Pep is a bigot, but his comments are thoughtless and irresponsible. He clearly needs educating too.

— Alex Keble (@alexkeble) September 25, 2019

As a result of the ban, Silva will miss City's Premier League clash with Chelsea on November 23.

The 25-year-old, who has five goals and three assists in all competitions this season, is a key performer for the Sky Blues.

Riyad Mahrez, who has spent City's last four league games on the bench as an unused substitute, is the most likely replacement. The Algerian has contributed eight assists and scored three times in 14 appearances in all competitions.

Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany does not think his old club need to sign a new defender in January. 

The Sky Blues have been left short at centre-back this season after Kompany's summer departure to Anderlecht and Aymeric Laporte's knee injury, which has kept him out since August.

John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have been left as City's only available senior central defenders, while midfielders Rodrigo and Fernandinho have had to play out of position occasionally.

The Brazilian started at centre-back alongside Stones in City's 3-1 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday. The defending champions' third loss of the season that left them nine points off the top of the table:

A dramatic #PL weekend pic.twitter.com/4nNdSH0kPY

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 11, 2019

Despite their current predicament, though, Kompany does not believe manager Pep Guardiola needs to add new defenders to his squad in the winter transfer window, per Sky Sports:

"I don't think they need to sign another defender. We always struggle at Anfield. I said that on [Sky Sports'] Super Sunday, you're fighting 25 years of not winning at Anfield and that's difficult. It's two games in one game—you're playing a great team and you're fighting history.

"Flip it around and the same will happen for Liverpool—they will fight the history of not winning the league for 30 years. That should be to City's advantage I still think. As to the defence, the best way for City to defend in the past has been to attack. They have no reason to change that. As soon as they start reconnecting with the best performances, I'm convinced that we can see a sustainable amount of wins."

City's back line against Liverpool was embarrassingly makeshift for a club of their resources.

Claudio Bravo started his first Premier League game in over a year in goal after Ederson picked up an injury in the UEFA Champions League:

So far this week Claudio Bravo has faced three shots on target, conceded three goals and been sent off.

— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) November 10, 2019

Meanwhile, Angelino started at left-back because Benjamin Mendy and Oleksandr Zinchenko both had fitness concerns, an issue that could potentially have been avoided by not playing the former against Atalanta in midweek, per Sam Lee of The Athletic.

The sight of Fernandinho starting at centre-back has become so familiar as to be unremarkable, but it is not a situation a club like City should find themselves in.

And if the 34-year-old is playing in defence, it means he is absent from the midfield, where his influence is most keenly felt.

City and Guardiola will have the opportunity to resolve their current defensive issues in January, and the return to fitness of some of their key players will help in the coming weeks and months.

But there is a chance the Sky Blues' title prospects could be gone by the start of 2020.

The loss to Liverpool was a huge blow, but not terminal to City's prospects of a third successive Premier League triumph given there is still a long time left in the season:

Klopp: “Nine points ahead of City – you cannot imagine that something like this would happen. But it's not important because who wants to be first in November?

— Andy Hampson (@andyhampson) November 10, 2019

However, after the international break, there is a chance the gap between City and Liverpool could stretch even wider.

In the next round of Premier League fixtures on November 23, Liverpool will have the chance to go 12 points clear of City when they meet Crystal Palace before the Manchester club face Frank Lampard's Chelsea side, who have won their last six games in a row in the English top flight. 

Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has said he is "confused" by the decision not to disallow Liverpool's opening goal in the clash between the two sides on Sunday.

The Reds went ahead in the game through a long-range Fabinho strike, although in the buildup to the move, City had an appeal for a penalty waved away after the ball struck Trent Alexander-Arnold on the arm in the area.

After a VAR review, a penalty wasn't awarded, Liverpool's goal stood and the home side went on to win 3-1. Speaking about the controversial call, Kompany said he still wasn't sure why the penalty wasn't awarded for his old club, per Liam Grace of Sky Sports:

"The incident happens and I'm confused. That's the problem. I'm confused. I'm thinking 'Okay, I'm not the expert in everything'. Then I look to my right at Jose Mourinho, Roy Keane and Graham Souness. We're all confused.

"Surely that says something about the process? The fact that this could still be for debate when there's a VAR system that is meant to make football simpler and fairer.

"[The] goal happens 20 seconds later. My feeling remains that although Liverpool were great, and both teams tried to play the way they are known to play, I felt this first decision was so important to get right."

Kompany was a pundit during the game for Sky Sports. The broadcaster provided footage of the goal and the aftermath, when it was deemed the Liverpool defender hadn't committed an offence:

VAR said no penalty - do you agree?

📺 Watch live now on Sky Sports PL or follow here: https://t.co/tIbipDtyYB pic.twitter.com/JaeozYHVQd

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019

Fantastic Fabinho!

What a start for the Premier League leaders - but Man City are furious!

📺 Watch on Sky Sports Premier League
📱 Follow #LIVMCI here: https://t.co/tIbipDtyYB
📲 Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/8934eJdfml

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019

Afterwards, Alexander-Arnold said the ball struck his hand, but noted it hit Bernardo Silva on the arm prior to it striking him:

"It has hit my arm but I think it hit Bernardo's first"

Trent Alexander-Arnold reacts to Liverpool's vital win over Man City

More: https://t.co/tIbipDtyYB pic.twitter.com/6QkEPNynvh

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019

Football writer Rupert Fryer disagreed with Kompany's assessment of the incident during his in-game analysis:

Kompany's weird point that the game should have been stopped after the first handball - by which he means second, as it hit Bernardo's hand first - is exactly that, just a bit weird. I mean, what's he saying? That the game should stop every time a referee has to make a decision?

— Rupert Fryer (@Rupert_Fryer) November 10, 2019

City manager Pep Guardiola was clearly unhappy with the decision not to award the penalty and he cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines over the course of an intense game.

While City controlled long spells of the match, they were regularly found wanting in defence, as Liverpool were able to cut through them with ease. Mohamed Salah doubled the home side's advantage in the first period, before Sadio Mane made the match safe with a header.

City were without a number of key players at the back and it showed, with backup goalkeeper Claudio Bravo arguably culpable for a couple of Liverpool goals. David Mooney of the Blue Moon podcast looked at how much the team is missing stricken centre-back Aymeric Laporte too:

Caveat being that there's only 12 games gone this season, but here's the numbers behind how badly City have been affected by Laporte and others' injuries:

GOALS CONCEDED:
16-17: 39 (1.03 per game)
17-18: 27 (0.71 per game)
18-19: 23 (0.61 per game)
19-20: 13 (1.08 per game)

— David Mooney (@DavidMooney) November 11, 2019

Kompany also dismissed the suggestion that his presence would have made a difference to the team at Anfield:

"That is nonsense. I haven't won here in 11 years"

Vincent Kompany dismisses talk that he left Man City too early - as their centre back issues continue

More: https://t.co/tRT6HeTfvq pic.twitter.com/3ooMeJiktY

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019

The centre-back left City at the end of the previous season, having won four Premier League titles and established a reputation as one of the best and most successful players in the club's history.

City's defeat leaves them in fourth place in the table, nine points behind leaders Liverpool. Going into the international break, the Reds' nearest challengers are Chelsea and Leicester City, who are eight points back.