Manchester City

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has offered his view on Manchester City's two-season ban from the UEFA Champions League and said that clubs must be punished if they fail to respect the rules.

The Citizens have been banned from UEFA club competitions and fined €30 million (£24.9 million) for breaking financial fair play rules (FFP), and Wenger spoke about the decision at the Laureus Sports Awards in Berlin, per Mark Staniforth at The Independent.

"The rules are what they are and you have to respect them.

"People who are caught trying to get around the rules in more or less legal ways have to be punished, if it is proven that this has been done on purpose.

"I think sport is basically to win by respecting the rules - we celebrate the best in every sport and we want to know that they respect the rules.

"If there is no respect for the rules it is not real sport. If you go into a competition it is a sign that you respect the rules."

Manchester City said they were not surprised at UEFA's decision and have confirmed they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Athletic's Sam Lee has said Manchester City are confident of overturning the ban:

Stunned at City CL ban (2 seasons). Decision was due in December, everything indicated (on several sides) no ban. Big delay and now this 180. One thing I would say is that part of noise from top level at City was that they’re confident of no ban, even if it means they overturn it

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) February 14, 2020

News of Manchester City's ban sent shock waves through the footballing world and has fuelled speculation over the future of manager Pep Guardiola and some of the team's key players.

Guardiola's contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until the summer of 2021, but it includes a clause that allows him to walk away at the end of the current campaign. However, he has told friends he intends to stay at the club despite the ban, according to Simon Stone at BBC Sport.

Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne's future has also come under scrutiny because of clauses in his contract relating to Champions League football, as highlighted by journalist Kristof Terreur:

According to Football Leaks:

Kevin De Bruyne gets £1.25m-£1.5m per year for CL qualification on top of his basic wages.

If City win the CL, he gets £1m.

He might miss out on at least 10% of his guaranteed wages (loyalty fee + image rights included).

No other clauses.#mcfc

— Kristof Terreur (@kristofterreur) February 17, 2020

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, has responded to speculation Real Madrid could try to take advantage of the situation and sign the England international. 

Ward told the Mirror's John Cross: "Raheem is solely focused on Manchester City and will not be distracted by any talk of transfers to any club at the moment."

Wenger was critical of Manchester City's spending during his time in charge of the Gunners. The Frenchman saw players such as Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna all leave Arsenal for the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City invested heavily in their squad.

The agent of Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has said the player is "solely focused" on the club despite rumours of a player exodus following news they'll be banned from the UEFA Champions League until the 2022-23 season.

The Mirror's John Cross wrote Real Madrid have shown interest in Sterling after UEFA announced City's punishment for breaching financial fair play (FFP) laws.

Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, told the Mirror: "Raheem is solely focused on Manchester City and will not be distracted by any talk of transfers to any club at the moment."

Emily Mee of Sky News noted City were fined €30 million (£24.9 million) in addition to their Champions League suspension, which they will appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football Espana) reported Real also had their eyes on midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne should any of City's stars become available following news of their potential ban.

Sterling, 25, joined the Citizens from Liverpool in 2015 for £49 million, and his contract at the Etihad Stadium isn't due to expire until June 2023.

The England star has excelled since moving to Manchester and gone on to become a key figure for club and country, scoring 89 goals and recording 71 assists in 226 appearances for City.

Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol provided quotes from manager Pep Guardiola, who said he intends to stay at the club regardless of their punishment—even if it includes relegation:

Pep Guardiola has told Man City players: “Whatever league we are in, I will still be here. Even if they put us in League Two, I will still be here. This is a time for sticking together." City CEO Ferran Soriano told players: “Trust me like I trust you, this will be dropped.”

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) February 17, 2020

The defending Premier League champions are accused of overstating sponsorship revenue in their accounts between 2012 and 2016, a tactic that would have helped the club bypass FFP regulations.

Sports lawyer John Mehrzad QC suggested City's alleged actions could be in breach of player contracts, which may see stars leave the club for nothing, per James Ducker and Mike McGrath of the Telegraph.

City issued a statement criticising UEFA's decision and the manner in which the investigation into their spending was conducted.

The statement described the matter as "a case initiated by UEFA, prosecuted by UEFA and judged by UEFA," European football's governing body.

Sterling came off injured late on when City lost 2-0 at Tottenham Hotspur on February 2, and the speedster isn't expected to recover in time for Wednesday's rescheduled Premier League clash with West Ham United.

Manchester City have been banned from European competition for the next two seasons, and reportedly could now face a points deduction in the Premier League.

Miguel Delaney of the Independent reported the English champions could be punished for "serious breaches" of UEFA's Financial Fair Play which "also represents a breach of the domestic competition’s regulations."

UEFA found City had overstated its sponsorship revenue in accounts submitted to the European governing body between 2012 and 2016.

The Premier League reportedly could now act and have already discussed potential punishments for the Sky Blues.

City were also handed a €30 million (£25 million) fine with their European ban.

City released a statement after the decision was announced:

"The club has always anticipated the ultimate need to seek out an independent body and process to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence in support of its position.

"In December 2018, the Uefa chief investigator publicly previewed the outcome and sanction he intended to be delivered to Manchester City, before any investigation had even begun.

"The subsequent flawed and consistently leaked Uefa process he oversaw has meant that there was little doubt in the result that he would deliver. The club has formally complained to the Uefa disciplinary body, a complaint which was validated by a CAS ruling.

"Simply put, this is a case initiated by Uefa, prosecuted by Uefa and judged by Uefa. With this prejudicial process now over, the club will pursue an impartial judgment as quickly as possible and will therefore, in the first instance, commence proceedings with the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the earliest opportunity."

Manchester City respond to UEFA’s announcement pic.twitter.com/aXJleYk8PE

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 14, 2020

Joe Doyle and Alan Smith of Football.London reported the team to finish fifth in the Premier League could be given the remaining place in the Champions League for next season.

Doyle and Smith reported article 4.08 of UEFA's admission criteria and procedure states: "A club which is not admitted to the competition is replaced by the next best-placed club in the top domestic championship of the same association, provided the new club fulfils the admission criteria."

Financial Fair Play was brought in to stop clubs spending beyond their means in the pursuit of success. Clubs must protect against financial losses and are expected to work within their revenue streams.

City will continue to compete in this season's Champions League when they face Real Madrid in the last 16.

Manchester City have been banned from UEFA club competitions—the Champions and Europa Leagues—for two seasons and fined €30 million (£24.9 million) after being found to have breached the European governing body's financial fair play (FFP) rules.

Rob Harris of the AP shared UEFA's full statement:

Full details of Man City being banned from Champions League for TWO SEASONS for "serious breaches" of UEFA financial rules pic.twitter.com/sYVG5orSRt

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 14, 2020

The news will be a severe blow to the Premier League champions, but Pep Guardiola's side have released a statement in which they said they will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport "as quickly as possible."

The Citizens have been found guilty of "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts" and also in the information given to UEFA between 2012 and 2016. Manchester City were also found to have breached regulations by having "failed to cooperate in the investigation."

The investigation was brought about after allegations by German magazine Der Spiegel and Football Leaks in November 2018, as shown by Get French Football News:

Breaking | Football Leaks headline: Manchester City’s owners allegedly injected €2.7bn into the club over the last 7 years through its shareholders & over-valued sponsorship contracts which infringe FFP regulations.

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) November 2, 2018

Football Leaks claim that a Manchester City executive sent an email following the death of an FFP investigator as follows: "One has fallen, there are six to go." https://t.co/3H6pQJljBo

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) November 2, 2018

In their statement, the club say they are "disappointed but not surprised" and called the investigation "flawed and consistently leaked."

BBC reporter Dan Roan shared the full club statement:

Man City “disappointed” & will appeal pic.twitter.com/SdjcjdWXZn

— Dan Roan (@danroan) February 14, 2020

Ed Malyon at The Athletic explained why Manchester City could get the punishment overturned:

The severity of the financial and playing impact this ban would have on Man City means I think they’ll throw full legal might at getting it turned over - which means they probably succeed...

But if this punishment stands in current form it’s a watershed moment in modern footbal

— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) February 14, 2020

Friday's decision will also have ramifications for the Premier League and qualification for next season's Champions League, as highlighted by ESPN FC's Dale Johnson:

The big news from this is that Champions League qualification will now drop to 5th, so Sheffield United in a UCL spot.

Europa League places may possibly drop down to 8th, which right now would give Man United a 2QR place. https://t.co/D9MsAkFmaQ

— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) February 14, 2020

Manchester City's ban could also have an impact on manager Pep Guardiola who is contracted to the club until summer 2021.

The Spaniard's future has come under scrutiny after his team slipped 22 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League. He told Sky Sports he thought he could be sacked if City fail to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 tie.

The Citizens are not the first club to be banned from European competition by UEFA for breaking FFP rules, Dynamo Moscow and Galatasaray have both been handed suspensions, but Friday's decision will still send shockwaves through the football world.

River Plate is the club he supports, but Nicolas Otamendi isn't ready to leave Manchester City until his contract runs out in 2022.

Otamendi's friend Martin Sendoa stoked the rumours of Otamendi joining River when he told TyC Sports (h/t Joe Bray of the Manchester Evening News):

"Nico's wish is to retire in River but he’s not going to interrupt the contract with the City. At 34 he could return to Argentina and close his career in the Millionaire, but we still had no contact and nobody spoke to us. If (River manager Marcelo) Gallardo calls him, Nico doesn't even doubt him, he comes. He is dying to play in River."

Bray also noted how Sendoa had posted a birthday message on Instagram when Otamendi turned 32 on Wednesday. The message accompanied a picture of both men outside River Plate's stadium.

Otamendi responded by speaking about his immediate future in Manchester to La Red (h/t Ole, via Bray): "I am a River fan. Martin is my friend, but not my representative. Jorge Mendes is. I don’t want to embarrass Gallardo or River. I have two years of contract at Manchester City and my head is set here, to fulfil it. My family, my children are happy. Then it will be seen."

While he's content to remain at the Etihad Stadium for now, Otamendi did recount how he's received messages from River fans. However, the defender has not spoken to the Argentinian club despite his respect for River manager Marcelo Gallardo's "incredible" performance.

Marcelo Gallardo is now the coach with the most trophies in the history of River Plate with 10 ⚪️🔴⚪️🔝#Gallardo #RiverPlate pic.twitter.com/67GlHGlu19

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) May 31, 2019

For now, Otamendi is prepared to concentrate on the rest of City's season. Success in the cups looks to be the main target for the defending Premier League champions, who are 22 points behind Liverpool even though they've played a game less than the leaders.

A vulnerability in defence has undone the Citizens several times this season. Otamendi and Co. have conceded 29 goals after 25 matches, with the South American in the starting XI for costly defeats against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich City.

Otamendi was unable to help Pep Guardiola's team cope during the absence of Aymeric Laporte. The latter missed nearly six months with a knee injury, the chief reason why City's defence crumbled.

Another reason involved the club's failure to replace Vincent Kompany last summer when the departing skipper rejoined former club Anderlecht. It left Guardiola with Laporte, John Stones and Otamendi as his only senior options at the positions.

Stones has always been shaky, lacking the aggression to complement his exceptional technique on the ball. Meanwhile, Otamendi is aggressive and effective in the air, but he remains prone to reckless lapses in judgement.

John Stones: Has a better pass success rate (94.4%) than any other player in the Premier League this season (10+ apps)

For more player stats -- https://t.co/vqtY0pdmsS pic.twitter.com/8epz9iwCho

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) January 14, 2020

The problems experienced by City's established defenders have led Guardiola to give more opportunities to an academy graduate like Eric Garcia. Still just 19, Garcia excelled during a 1-0 win away to Sheffield United in January.

Yet despite Garcia's development, as well as Otamendi's desire to stay, there's no doubt City still need reinforcements at centre-back. Guardiola has been linked with Unai Nunez of Athletic Bilbao, per AS (h/t MailOnline's Kathryn Batte).

City will need fresh talent if they are going to make up the difference to Liverpool next season. In the meantime, it's debatable whether Otamendi, Stones and Garcia will be good enough alongside the returning Laporte to help the club finally win the UEFA Champions League.

Ilkay Gundogan has said his desire for a fresh challenge was the reason he signed for Manchester City, rather than joining former coach Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

The midfielder played under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, but the Germany international told Fantasy PL (h/t Josh Challies of the Liverpool Echo) he was keen to have a new football experience when he moved to England in 2016:

"I believe in challenges in life and I always try to challenge myself first of all. I feel like if I don't challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone, I'm not going to change anything and won't improve.

"So I had a great four years with Jurgen and I love him as a person and a manager but I felt it was time for something else.

"I wanted to leave Dortmund in Dortmund and didn't want to think about the time that I had with him when I was joining a new club. That was a bit of the reason why I didn't want to join Liverpool."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr70K6MGHQA

Gundogan earned an impressive reputation with BVB, winning the 2011-12 Bundesliga title and making the UEFA Champions League final the following year.

Klopp honed his management style for seven years at Signal Iduna Park before exiting Dortmund in 2015. The coach resurfaced at Anfield five months afterwards.

Gundogan was Pep Guardiola's first signing at City, completing a £20 million transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

The German would have been perfect for Klopp's needs, and his performances at City indicate he would have been a huge hit on Merseyside playing for his compatriot.

The 29-year-old is a two-time Premier League winner, but it seems he will have to watch his former boss scoop up the title with the Reds. Liverpool have built a 22-point advantage over second-placed City in the title race, and Guardiola's men have been unable to keep up with Klopp's unbeaten exploits this season.

Former Juventus manager Luigi Maifredi has said Pep Guardiola could join the Old Lady if he decides to leave Manchester City. 

The current Brescia technical coordinator told TuttoJuve (via Naveen Ullal of Sport Witness) "there is no doubt" Guardiola would become Juve manager, and stated the Italian champions were keen to tempt the former Barcelona coach to Turin last year:

"If he frees himself, there is no doubt that Guardiola will come to Juventus. The club wanted him last year, but he did nothing due to contracts or promises made to the club.

"It is normal that at the first negative results, his name is once again linked to the Bianconeri."

Maurizio Sarri is under pressure after Inter Milan went level on points with Juve at the top of the Serie A table following the Bianconeri's shock 2-1 loss on Saturday at Verona.

Sarri exited Chelsea at the end of last season and walked straight into the Turin post after the departure of Massimiliano Allegri.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored for a 10th consecutive league match to open the scoring against the Mastiffs, but second-half goals by Fabio Borini and Giampaolo Pazzini handed Juve their third loss of the season.

Maifredi, who coached Juve in 1990-91, recommended his former team allow Sarri time to improve results. The 72-year-old added he doesn't believe the club will turn back to Allegri in the near future:

"I judge the voice of a possible return of Allegri not true," Maifredi said. "For me, it is right to continue with Sarri, at least until the end of the season."

Guardiola has suffered his most difficult campaign in charge since taking over the Sky Blues in 2016, and the current season has been hugely disappointing for the Catalan.

After two consecutive Premier League crowns, City have surrendered their title with a whimper. Liverpool lead the way at the top of the English top-flight by an incredible 22 points after an unbeaten season.

Guardiola's future ambitions are unknown. However, the 49-year-old has now had success in La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Premier League. The Serie A title would complete the coach's role of honours in the best four leagues on the planet.

Juve will not tolerate failure in Italian football anytime soon. After eight seasons without Serie A success, the Old Lady have scooped an incredible eight consecutive championships.

Inter Milan have drawn level, and Sarri must react as soon as possible before his club look elsewhere for leadership.

Aymeric Laporte has said he questioned his luck after suffering a knee injury for Manchester City at the start of the season, just days before potentially making his debut for France. 

The centre-back—who recently returned to training—had been called up for his country's 2020 European Championship qualifiers against Albania and Andorra, but the defender damaged his right knee in the 4-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on August 31.

Speaking to French football show Telefoot (via Tom Coast of Sport Witness), Laporte said the injury was just unfortunate:

"When it happened, in my head, the truth was I thought 'Surprise, surprise.' The day before I'm meant to be going with the France national team, blam ... I wouldn't say I'm cursed, but maybe it was misfortune. You ask yourself a bit 'Why?'

"No one knows, but I'm back, I'm happy. All is well. I don't have any pain, so I'm ready and back on the attack."

The Sky Blues captured Laporte for a club-record £57 million from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018, and Pep Guardiola reshaped his defence around the Frenchman.

Laporte's ball-carrying talent quickly saw him develop as a mainstay in the City starting XI, and the club won consecutive Premier League titles.

It's no surprise City have slipped away from their lofty standards without Laporte this term, and the defender's importance has been underlined during a disappointing campaign for the star-studded team.

City have lost six league games this season, handing undefeated Liverpool control at the summit of the division, with Jurgen Klopp's side 22 points clear of Guardiola's men.

Laporte is now back in training as he attempts to regain fitness, but Guardiola has made it clear he will not rush the defender's availability after his serious injury.

According to Tyrone Marshall of the Manchester Evening News, Guardiola explained Laporte is on the path to a full recovery:

"He's training every day, he feels no pain and after training he feels good, [but] I don't know when he'll be ready to play some minutes.

"I'm not the doctor, what I see on the pitch is he moves well, his movement, for four or five months, he's not a small guy like [Raheem] Sterling, who recovers quickly, but he moves really well and we'll see what the doctor says about when he's going to play."

Fernandinho has deputised at centre-back in Laporte's absence, with Nicolas Otamendi favoured as his partner, but City have lacked defensive quality for the entire season.

The Premier League title appears to have gone. However, there's all to play for in the UEFA Champions League. City are desperate to add Europe's biggest club prize to their honours, and Laporte can play a huge part in any future European success.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has dismissed suggestions that the club's campaign will be a failure should they fail to win their maiden UEFA Champions League. 

The Citizens have all but lost the Premier League crown with leaders Liverpool 22 points ahead after 25 games. They'll face Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16, while they're also up against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup final and have advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Guardiola told Football Daily it's a "bad, bad message for the new generation" to believe that trophies mean everything and a season without silverware equates to failure:

Pep Guardiola on winning trophies & not winning the Champions League

🗣"We give a bad message to the new generation to just count the trophies. People believe you are Pep you have to win all the titles every season, It's impossible" pic.twitter.com/yk1FiJtTH0

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 11, 2020

The Catalan coach said the fact City haven't won a European title in their 125-year history was a testament to how difficult the task is, admitting he'll accept his fate should the owners decide to sack him:

"I accept it. I want to win the Champions League; I dream and will enjoy the games against Real Madrid, to see what I can do.

"And this process, the two weeks before, will be the happiest moments of my profession, to imagine what we can do to beat them.

"If we don't beat them, then the chairman will come, or the sporting director, and say 'It's not good enough, we want the Champions League, I'm going to sack you.' Then 'OK. Thank you. It was a pleasure.'"

Guardiola has a contract at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2021, but his future at the club has been discussed more since the Reds have galloped into a dominant Premier League lead.

The 49-year-old won Europe's premier tournament twice with Barcelona (2009, 2011) before leading Bayern Munich to three successive Bundesliga titles between 2013 and 2016.

City's Premier League triumph last season saw the club successfully defend the crown for the first time in their history, but he said in late January this season's Liverpool would win in any country, via Hayters TV:

“Liverpool will obviously be champions” 👏

“They would be champions in Spain, Italy and Germany” 🏆

“Liverpool are just fantastic, phenomenal” 🔥

Pep Guardiola heaps praise on @LFC and believes few teams in Europe would have been able to match the Reds this season 👌 pic.twitter.com/KBo3fEAQHV

— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) January 26, 2020

Guardiola praised Jurgen Klopp's project with the Reds but said it's not always possible to hit the heights expected:

"Liverpool have spent four or five years to win the first title last season. It was a process—new players, the process, then invest more and more, and they are the best team in the world right now.

"Always people believe that you are Pep, or you are Jurgen, or another name, so you have to win all the titles, get two thousand million points, two thousand million goals.

"Sometimes it's not possible. Sometimes there are opponents, sometimes you cannot do it because in no sport does one team win all the titles all the time. It's impossible."

The Sky Blues will face Villa at Wembley Stadium on March 1 with a prime opportunity to clinch an early trophy, though they travel to Madrid for the first leg of their knockout clash with Real on February 26.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson critiqued Guardiola for failing to evolve in the same manner he feels Liverpool counterpart Klopp has in recent years:

🗣 - "How is he the best manager in the world? They're 2⃣2⃣ points behind!"

Merse doesn't hold back in a passionate rant about Pep Guardiola! 👀 pic.twitter.com/kqAPMptdJG

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 8, 2020

A serious knee injury to centre-back Aymeric Laporte has robbed City of an essential cog for most of this season so far. However, City's spending of around £500 million in the three years since Guardiola was appointed has left some of the belief the club should be able to withstand such setbacks.

Manuel Pellegrini took City to the Champions League semi-finals in 2015-16, but his successor has suffered back-to-back quarter-final departures against English peers Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Guardiola could still end this season with two trophies even if City fail to realise their Champions League dreams, but his idea of success doesn't hinge on that one competition.

John Stones needs to play to his maximum level to earn more minutes with Manchester City and secure his place with England at this summer's UEFA Euro 2020, according to Pep Guardiola. 

Stones hasn't started a Premier League game since City drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace in January. Guardiola knows it could impact the centre-back's international chances, but he challenged Stones to play better, per Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News:

"Of course it is my problem, I am a human being. I try to have empathy with my players and suffer when they suffer. I hope he goes with the national team because my opinion on him is the same. He has good points and some have to improve. It is simple, he is a young central defender.

I want to make decisions that he likes but I have to make decisions to be honest with me. I know it is not easy for him."

Guardiola also defended picking Eric Garcia ahead of Stones. Garcia is still just 19, but Guardiola lauded the Spaniard's performance during the 1-0 win away to Sheffield United on January 21.

Ultimately, Guardiola said his defenders must "play here as well as possible then after that go to the national team."

Guardiola on Eric Garcia: "He never misses one game, he never fails. Always was perfect. He's a guy who doesn't make mistakes. He played 5-10 he was perfect, he didn't make a mistake. So so pleased."

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) January 21, 2020

It's a not-so-subtle warning to Stones, who has struggled to establish himself during three troubled seasons with City, despite costing £47.5 million when he arrived from Everton in 2016. Stone has impressive qualities, including height and assured technique on the ball.

Yet those attributes haven't taken Stones off the bench. He's made a mere 11 stars in all competitions this season, with 10 of those coming in England's top flight.

The lack of minutes is an indictment of Stones' standing considering he's rarely been picked during a campaign where City have been beset by problems in defence. Key centre-back Aymeric Laporte went down in August with a knee injury in August and returned to start against the Blades.

Laporte's absence derailed City's bid to win a third title in a row. Guardiola's side became vulnerable at the back, ultimately conceding 36 goals through 25 matches and falling 22 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Rather than trust Stones to fill the void, Guardiola often deployed holding midfielder Fernandinho as a converted central defender. Nicolas Otamendi and Garcia also took starts away Stones.

A midfielder playing out of position and an academy graduate starting ahead of him show how far Stones has fallen down the pecking order. He could slip further, with Guardiola rumoured to be keen on Athletic Bilbao's Unai Nunez, per AS (h/t MailOnline's Kathryn Batte).

Unai Núñez: €30 million

After Aymeric Laporte and Kepa Arrizabalaga, Núñez could be the next Lezama product to find his way into the Premier League.

He's a physically imposing, rough and rugged center back who can win aerial duels and wrestle center forwards off the ball. pic.twitter.com/2B3UCmggPg

— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) January 23, 2020

Stones, who is contracted with City until 2022, can't afford to lose out on more playing time if he expects to feature for England during the summer.

The 25-year-old will be in contention with familiar names such as Manchester United's Harry Maguire and Everton's Michael Keane. However, competition has grown at the position this season, with several young players surely in Gareth Southgate's thinking, including 22-year-old Liverpool ace Joe Gomez.

Stones looks increasingly like a player struggling to live up to expectations and destined to get lost in the shuffle at both club and international level.