The master of the mind games José Mourinho is at it again, and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré has given him the reaction he's been after for so long this morning.
In an interview with Marca, the Ivorian called for his team to focus on their Premier League task ahead and accused the mouthy Portuguese of being disrespectful in a bid to entertain the English press.
"We are going to focus and have some time to get our strength back – something we lacked in the [Barcelona] game,” Touré told the Spanish newspaper .
“We are going to try to win this league, which won't be easy as Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are also strong.
"Chelsea are nine points ahead. Yes we have three games in hand but we could lose all of them. Chelsea are favourites.
(José Mourinho appears to have ruffled a few feathers in the City camp)
"Don't say we'd be failures, we've won something already. Now we want to win more.
“He [Mourinho] is a coach and he must give respect a little bit - he is always talking about everyone and I don’t think that’s the correct way.
“I think he talks more than before, perhaps because the English press likes it.”
Manchester City's impressive EDS team may be about to acquire a new wonderkid if reports from the Netherlands are to be believed this morning. Dutch website AD.nl reports that the blues have agreed a deal to sign 16-year-old Feyenoord starlet Rodney Kongolo and the highly-rated defensive midfielder could be mentored by the man many have likened him to. The Dutchman's playing style has been likened to that of Patrick Vieira's and if the signing is confirmed, the Frenchman will have the opportunity to work with his proposed successor.
(Kongolo has been dubbed as the next Patrick Vieira)
However, one of City's most famous youth products could be on his way out of the club after being exiled from the squad that faced Barcelona on Wednesday night. Micah Richards has seen his Manchester City career correlate negatively with injuries in the last three years and it appears Manuel Pellegrini has grown impatient with the defender. Football Direct News believe AS Roma will make an approach for the out-of-favour Englishman in the summer, but they will face competition from Arsenal.
(Micah Richards may have to leave his beloved club for first team football at the end of the season)
In other news, Manchester United legend and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has finally admitted that Manchester City are now 'better' than Manchester United, but still believes Chelsea will claim the Premier League crown this season.
Speaking at an international property festival, Neville spoke about the effect the two side's have had on Manchester's economy and highlighted the positives of having two huge clubs in the area.
“For about 20 years of my life they were irrelevant,” Neville said.
(Former United defender Gary Neville is worried by Manchester City's rise to the top of the food chain in Manchester)
“Then they became a little bit annoying. Now they are actually better. It’s a bit of a worry. My uncle is a City fan.
"We all know City fans, we all know United fans. And I have to say, that generally it’s a huge positive to have two clubs of that stature for Manchester.
"You can’t really think about Manchester without thinking about football and the importance of it.”
Neville added that his initial favourites for the title were Manchester City, but now believes Mourinho's men are the favourites.
“I said City certainly up to two months ago but if you asked me now I’d say Chelsea.”
And finally, James Milner has received praise in the Telegraph this morning, with Henry Winter dedicated a column to the Englishman's World Cup credentials. The journalist believes Milner would offer Hodgson 'a chance to be more creative' and insisted that the Manchester City midfielder should be included in his 23-man squad.
(The Telegraph believe James Milner should be a definite inclusion in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad for Brazil)
“Milner actually gives Hodgson a chance to be more creative in selecting his 23 because of his versatility, team ethic and strong injury record.
“He will fill whatever role the manager demands, and has done well in central midfield or wide. He can slot in at right-back in an emergency.
“He will travel with a smile, never upsetting anyone, joining in, giving everything in training and supporting other squad members even if not in the starting XI.
"He will not say anything controversial to bring a storm to the dressing-room door.
“He’s James Milner, not boring, just dependable and Hodgson needs those who won’t let him down.”
Wise words, Henry!
