Manchester City 3 - 2 Aston Villa: A crucial reminder of the need for change

Eighty-five minutes into the game and the pens of journalists all over Europe began to furiously scrape against notepads like the needle on a seismometer. 

Carlos Sanchez's late leveler sent tremors down the Barclays Premier League table. Manchester City were on the brink of surrendering a 2-0 lead for the third time this season. The thread connecting Manuel Pellegrini to his job began to unravel. 

The Chilean's saviour came in the form of a man who, despite being one of City's top performers, has been benched nine times this term. Fernandinho's 89th minute winner clinched an undeserved 3-2 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday evening and booked the Blues a luxurious overnight stay in 2nd place.


(Fernandinho secures the points with a late winner - image via Alex Livesy/Getty Images)

But the colourless performance was a crucial reminder of the need for change at the Etihad Stadium. Fernandinho's absence from the side has been just one of Manuel Pellegrini's many failings in a miserable season that has seen City regress dramatically from their trophy-winning feats one year ago and the South American cut a helpless figure on the sidelines once again when goals from Tom Cleverley and Carlos Sanchez threatened to make it just three wins from City's last ten games. 

Pellegrini's post-match reflection offered no reassurance that he is the right man to take the club forward. 

Whilst his admission that it was "one of our worst games of the season in possession" was true, the blank statement ignored the wider issues that afflicted his ageing squad on Saturday. The 61-year-old has become infamous for his flat press conferences and it's questionable as to whether his seemingly uninspiring personality still has the ability to motivate a dressing room. 

After taking the lead after just three minutes through Sergio Agüero, with the help of a comical error from Brad Guzan, Aston Villa targeted the waning limbs of City's elderly midfield and enjoyed 56% of the possession. This was the first time that a side had claimed more of the ball than City at the Etihad Stadium in six-and-a-half years - more damning evidence of the squad's decline. Fernando, 27, Frank Lampard, 36, and Yaya Touré, 31, made up the centre of Pellegrini's midfield that were frazzled by the speed and energy of Fabian Delph, 25, Tom Cleverley, 25, and Jack Grealish, 19, and the Villains were invited to launch a total of 13 efforts towards Joe Hart's goal. Grealish, who has been lauded for his recent performances, could be the sort of homegrown talent Manchester City seek this summer to freshen up their squad.


(Jack Grealish, 19, has emerged as one of the league's most exciting English talents - image via Getty Images)

Aleksandar Kolarov's 66th-minute free-kick forced some life into a spiritless Etihad crowd who could have been forgiven for assuming the points were secured, but the Blues, as they so often have this term, buckled under their own complacency. Joe Hart, who has arguably been City's player of the season, committed two rare errors for Villa's two goals, providing Tim Sherwood with the hope of third win in six games to render his side's progression into the FA Cup final even sweeter. 

Fernandinho's late winner proved that miracles do happen, however. The acrobatic volley, scored from a corner, masked one of City's sourest performances of the season and may well have saved Manuel Pellegrini at least another week in his job. La Parisien in France insist that Patrick Vieira will take over as manager this summer, but another blunder this weekend could have seen the Arsenal legend lead the Blues into battle against his former rivals Tottenham Hotspur in eight days time. 


(According to reports in France, Patrick Vieira is set to take over from Manuel Pellegrini this summer - image via Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Manuel Pellegrini's future in Manchester continues to dangle.

Manchester City v's Aston Villa: Statistical Preview & Team News

(Image via Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Head-to-Head

• In 75 league matches between the two sides on City's home turf, the Blues have won 44 times
• Aston Villa haven't won at the Etihad Stadium since 2007 when John Carew and Shaun Maloney scored the goals in a 2-0 win
• City have scored 20 goals in their last five home fixtures against the Villains
• In the same fixture last season, City claimed a 4-0 victory to send them on their way to their second Premier League title in three years

2014/2015 Stats Comparison

• City (67) have scored 43 more goals than Aston Villa (24) this season - Villa have the league's lowest goal tally
• The Blues (34) have conceded 11 fewer goals than Tim Sherwood's side (24)
• Villa have picked up the most red cards (7) in the league this season. City have just two 
• Manuel Pellegrini's men have created more chances (468) than any other side in the league this term. Villa (260) have created only 12 more than the league's least creative side Hull City (248)
• City, along with rivals Manchester United, are the league's most accurate passers and have completed 86% of their passes this season. Villa have completed 79% of theirs

Player Stats

• Yaya Touré has scored four goals and has registered three assists in his nine games against Aston Villa
• Christian Benteke has scored 9 goals in his last 7 games for Sherwood's side
• When he has featured in the starting line up, James Milner has lost just once in 9 league games against his former club since joining City in August 2010

(Yaya Touré has a fine record against the Villains - image via Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Form Guide

Overall (last 6 matches)

• Manchester City (WLWLLW) - 11th best in the league
• Aston Villa (WWLLDW) - 8th best in the league

Home form (last 6 matches)

• Manchester City (LDWWWW)
• Aston Villa (LLLWLD)

Away form (last 6 matches)

• Manchester City (DWLLLL) 
• Aston Villa (LLLWLW)

Injuries

Manchester City

• David Silva (cheek) has trained normally with the squad and is expected to feature
• Wilfried Bony has returned to training after missing the last three games
• James Milner also featured in training and could face his former side
• Vincent Kompany (Thigh)
• Stevan Jovetić (Muscular injury)
• Gaël Clichy (Muscular injury)

(Wilfried Bony could return after recovering from injury - image via Alex Livesy/Getty Images)

Aston Villa

• Gabriel Agbonlahor will face a late fitness test ahead of the 17.30 kick off
• Aly Cissokho has passed fit to play after a groin injury
• Nathan Baker (Knee)
• Ciaran Clark (Knee)
• Alan Hutton (Foot)
• Chris Herd (Knee)

Potential Line-Ups

Manchester City

Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov, Fernando, Fernandinho, Yaya Touré, Navas, Silva, Agüero

Aston Villa

Guzan, Bacuna, Vlaar, Baker, Richardson, Cleverley, Westwood, Delph, N'Zogbia, Benteke, Grealish

Manchester City v's West Ham United: In this fixture last season, City were crowned champions...

In this fixture last season, Manchester City were crowned Premier League champions. This term, Manuel Pellegrini's men will be fighting for their place in the top four. 


(Vincent Kompany lifts the trophy on May 11th, 2014 - image via Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The Chilean's future at the club is believed to be safe despite his side losing six of their last eight games in all competitions. Defeats to Liverpool, Burnley and Crystal Palace left Pellegrini hanging onto his position by a rope; the calamity at Old Trafford last weekend reduced the rope to a thread.

Jürgen Klopp's recent announcement comes at a troubling time for the 61-year-old. The German will vacate his post at Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season, but does not plan to take a sabbatical. City are the bookies favourites to land the quirky coach who led his side to the Champions League final against all odds two seasons ago. 

Klopp could be the right man to lead a City renaissance. According to Goal.com, as many as fourteen players could leave the Etihad Stadium this summer and City are expected to fill those spots with young, homegrown talent. Klopp, 47, has a fantastic record with young players having overseen the rise of İlkay Gündoğan, Mario Götze and Marco Reus at Signal Iduna Park, and his contagious personality could invigorate a lifeless dressing room. However, City are understood to be more keen on his rival, Pep Guardiola. 


(Jurgen Klopp has been heavily linked with the City job after announcing his intention to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season - image via Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

West Ham United are one of the few teams to have endured an even worse run than the Blues in the last six games. Losses to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester City have issued a damning blow to Sam Allardyce's ego - the man who boasted that he was the league's 'most sophisticated manager' just two months ago. His side now sit in 9th place and could slump to 11th with a loss on Sunday.

City will be without Vincent Kompany who picked up a groin injury in the 4-2 defeat to Manchester United, but Wilfried Bony could return after a two week lay-off.

The board may be behind Manuel Pellegrini, but a loss on Sunday would certainly change that. The Guardian reported last week that the club would not hesitate to axe the Chilean if they felt Champions League football was at risk. A third consecutive loss would leave City's top four hopes, like their manager's future, hanging by a thread.

Prediction: 3-1

Potential line-up: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Yaya Touré, Navas, Silva, Nasri, Agüero.

Manchester United 4 - 2 Manchester City: City fans got their reaction, but it lasted 82 minutes too short

James Milner feeds a perfectly weighted ball into the path of David Silva who squares it to Sergio Agüero for a tap in. Manchester City are ahead in derby after just eight minutes. And that's when they stopped.


(Image via Michael Regan/Getty Images)

After five defeats in seven games, a reaction was absolutely imperative for Manuel Pellegrini's side against their local rivals. Within minutes Jesus Navas found himself one on one with David De Gea but could only fire a week effort against his compatriot's shins. City's forward line was ticking again, exposing holes in Van Gaal's back line. United were rattled and Phil Jones's face was already beginning to resemble Edvard Munch's famous painting. City had reacted, but it lasted 82 minutes too short.

Louis Van Gaal has breathed life into a United side that looked positively clueless just four months ago. Last season's flops, Marouane Fellaini, Ashley Young and Juan Mata, are now fundamental cogs in a midfield that possesses a superb blend of aggression, composure and technique that bulldozed its way through City's soft centre on Sunday. Once Ander Hererra and Michael Carrick got hold of the ball, Van Gaal's side were able to amble past the lifeless Yaya Touré and into the path of City's quivering back four. Within just five minutes, United were level and their dominance began.


(Ashley Young and Juan Mata celebrate - image via Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The 4-2 demolition at Old Trafford was symbolic of Manchester City's woeful 2014/2015 campaign. Players who were blamed for failure last term outplayed those who were voted for Player of the Season awards and the electric football that Manuel Pellegrini had his team playing one year ago was substituted by disinterest. Pablo Zabaleta, the league's outstanding right-back from last term, was left eating grass by Ashley Young; Vincent Kompany was hooked at half time for recklessness and Yaya Touré, who orchestrated a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford 13 months ago, took a nap for 90 minutes. Not even Sergio Agüero, who scored his 99th and 100th goals for the Blues, could have been said to have performed well. 

Goals from Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling sent the home side into a deserved 4-1 lead as City's 61-year-old boss slumped helplessly in his seat. And it could have been more. Joe Hart, City's top performer this season given the obscene lack of protection he has been given by his defence, made two impressive saves from a Wayne Rooney free kick and Michael Carrick's close-range follow up to prevent United from attaining the ultimate 6-1 revenge they craved before kick-off. Making their match predictions in the build up to the fixture, a 6-1 scoreline may have been suggested, but not fully endorsed, by a few reds. It wouldn't have been the most ludicrous forecast. 


(Yaya Touré and Vincent Kompany have declined worryingly this season - image via Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Agüero's bittersweet consolation in 89th minute was his 100th goal for City, but ultimately, it counted for nothing. His side were dismantled by a hungry United team who now sit four points ahead of their city rivals in the league table. Any derby defeat leaves a sour taste in the mouth, but the lack of effort shown by City in a fixture that means more to the fans than any other was particularly depressing. 

Manchester City now face a genuine fight for Champions League football next term and are in need of a major shake up this summer. Manuel Pellegrini was somewhat restricted by Financial Fair Play regulations in his business in last season's window, but he still managed to waste £50m on two players that have contributed absolutely nothing to a poor campaign. The club are adamant that the Chilean will stay at the Etihad Stadium next season, but surely six defeats in eight games changes that. 

Crystal Palace 2 - 1 Manchester City: The end of an era, but a new period of domination could be on the horizon

Manchester City had already begun hammering the final nails into the coffin of their decrepit title defence even before our fans could take a seat to watch the carnage unfold.


(Courtesy of MCFC Official Facebook)

Free coaches to Selhurst Park were laid on by the club in a commendable attempt to apologise for Sky's inconsiderate TV scheduling, but they, like Manuel Pellegrini's decaying squad, could not turn up in time for kick off. After the final whistle had sounded, the sky blue faithful may have been thanking their drivers for sparing them an extra ten minutes of torture.

Within just 90 seconds, City's aching limbs began to fold. Martin Kelly broke down the left hand side an angled a sweet ball into the path of former Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha, but the 22-year-old could only fire into row Z. Pardew had his men fired up. They were enthusiastic, they were hungry and their early play responded to the booming rhythm in the chorus of their supporters. It was intrepid, uninhibited football from a side who, thanks to Pardew, have very little to play for, but sadly, City are no longer a team to be feared.

The Blues nauseated their hosts with their trademark lateral possession. Like a pendulum the ball wavered from Navas, to Touré, to Silva and back again without ever really puncturing Palace's resilient back line until Sergio Agüero struck the post with an opportunistic strike 30 minutes into the first half. If possession won games, City would already be champions. Seventy-four percent of the ball was enjoyed, yet wasted, by the Blues, but the current title holders have an even bigger problem converting their chances. David Silva (44) has created more chances than any other player in the division this term, yet only has three assists to his name. When one considers the fact that Agüero has now gone 511 minutes without a goal in all competitions for his side and that Edin Džeko failed to register a single shot on goal last night, it's clear that scoring goals has become a pressing issue for City.


(David Silva has created more chances than any other player in the league this term, but only has three assists to his name - courtesy of MCFC Official Facebook)

It was just four minutes after Agüero's miss that Palace took the lead through a goal that was glaringly offside. The inevitability of it was almost humorous. City haven't won an away fixture in the Premier League after being behind at half time for 20 years, and they weren't about to. 

Jason Puncheon's fine curling free kick just minutes into the second half settled the fixture, but City's possessional dominance continued. The intensity of the play notably improved once Pellegrini hooked the abject Džeko and replaced him with Frank Lampard. The Bosnian has served his club well with a number of important goals in his four years at the Etihad Stadium, but he offered a performance that had the words 'please sell me' written all over it. His scandalous lack of effort was enough to leave some fans offering to pay for his ticket out of the country. 

But are performances like this what we should expect from a group of players who have done all they can for the club? The likes of Džeko, Aleksandar Kolarov, Yaya Touré and Samir Nasri may feel they have offered all they can to City's pursuit of global dominance. Touré played the best football of his career at this club, his languid style often masks the amount of effort he puts in and his scorching pile-driver 12 minutes before time at least gave his side a chance of redemption, but the other three players listed appear to be disinterested. Their poor attitudes could be replaced by the respective enthusiasm of Jason Denayer, Karim Rekik and Marcos Lopes - young academy graduates who have longed to play in City's senior team throughout their short careers. It would be a sound move by whoever happens to be in charge next term to make use of  their talent.


(Jason Denayer has impressed whilst on loan at Celtic - via Marc Runnacles/Getty Images)

As for Vincent Kompany, Sergio Agüero and David Silva, plenty is yet to be offered. They are the stand out characters of City's Golden Era and have emerged as key players on the world stage as well as the Premier League one, but the club will have to convince the latter two that regression is not in their long-term plans. 

The end of an era has come, it seems. A cycle of the club's best ever players have reached their prime and will be waved off with heartache this summer, but this mess we've got ourselves into will surely encourage an influx of exciting, young talent ready to propel the next Manchester City spell of domination. This turmoil could be a blessing in disguise.

A City fan in Stockholm: Does it matter where you're from?

It's the 10th December, 2014.

'Hej, a table for five, please', I say to the large, Greek-looking bloke sporting an American-style baseball tee that couldn't be more unflattering to his unfortunate physique. He huffs and puffs us up five stairs and shuffles us into the corner with a prime view of the 40 inch TV.

There's over fifty of those very TV's in that place. O'Learys is a chain of Boston-style sports bars in Sweden; our preferred one is in Gamla Stan - Stockholm's old town. They charge around five quid for a pint of Falcon, one of the country's more popular lagers, and a meaty £12 for a burger and fries, but it's hands down the best place outside of the Etihad Stadium that I've ever watched a football match. The Quarry Bank in Timperley has nothing on these guys. 


(The Arsenal fans in Stockholm gather for another loss in O'Learys)

I sit down with my colourful bunch of mates. One is a Manchester United fan from Portsmouth, another is a Chelsea supporter from New York. They've brought their girlfriends, but I'm not the fifth wheel, no, my lover is on the screen, and she's playing against Roma. 

A win and City go through to the last 16 of the Champions League. Samir Nasri picks up the ball just outside of the area and smashes a beauty into the top corner. My pint leaps into the air and mingles with the reverberating soundwaves that escape from my gob. I'm pissed as a fart and I'm screaming in the best Mancunian accent I can do, but the rest of the pub don't share my joy. It's silent as they wait for the freak show to sit back down. I'm the only City fan in the pub and it's been that way ever since. 

It may come as a surprise, but Swedish people love their football. It's a country that perfectly reflects the huge commercial globalisation of football in the last decade and the deteriorating importance of locality in the game. If Zlatan Imbrahimovic is playing for Paris Saint Germain, the Swedes will cheer for Paris Saint Germain, but if he decides to move to Juventus this summer, they'll switch their allegiance to Juventus. Sweden isn't famed for its competitive domestic football, the Allsvenskan is about as entertaining as the SPL and it goes some way to explaining the Swede's devotion to the player rather than the club. If you ask a Swede who they support, nine times out of ten they'll name a big Italian club that Zlatan has played for. There's no locality involved and it's something I've never really understood.


(Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a national hero in Sweden)

Above, I mentioned my mate from Portsmouth who supports United. He's the most passionate red I've ever spoke to. He wakes up rubbing himself over Van Gaal and goes to bed pretending his pillow is Wayne Rooney. In all seriousness, though, he's in love with the club. But he's from Portsmouth - that's 241 miles away from Manchester - but in terms of the club's seemingly magnetic reach, 241 miles is nothing. As I said, I've never understood why someone would support a club with which they have no local or familial affiliation with. For me, the club you support reflects your identity and the place you are from. Manchester City is more than just a club I support, it's a representation of the place I'm from, the success of the place I'm from and a part of me that I carry into foreign countries as a means of identifying myself. 

What I've realised whilst living in Stockholm, however, is that me being from Manchester means absolutely naff all. I find myself hunting for fellow City fans in Stockholm online and in the pub and then realise that I'm completely going against all of my beliefs. Why would I seek a fellow fan whom I deem to be an inferior supporter to me due to their place of birth and weak connection with Manchester. I preach for every City fan to have some blood relation to Manchester and then whinge when I have no one to cheer them on with when I'm watching from a different country.

It's an absolutely ridiculous way of thinking that has thankfully been pumped out of my head as I've grown older. It's OK to be proud of where you are from and shamelessly inflate your accent and puff out your chest with the badge of your favourite football team on it, but dismissing the loyalty and devotion of a supporter who has no local relationship with the club is a heinous act. 


(City's domestic successes since their takeover in 2008 has attracted fans from all over the globe)

The money that Sheikh Mansour injected into the club in 2008 has brought extraordinary success on the pitch, but it's influence in connecting and creating new City fans across the globe has been as rewarding. One day, I'll sit in Gamla Stan's O'Leary's not as the only blue, but as one of many. 

Manchester City Summer Transfer Rumours: The Good and the Bad

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end.



One cannot expect to win the league title every season, nor should it be considered a travesty when your side is booted out of the Champions League knockout stages by the best team in the world, but poor football is always a cause for concern.

Poor football has been prevalent at the Etihad Stadium this season. Fortunately, the standard of the league has dropped significantly from last term and the table has become more forgiving. In previous campaigns, City's miserable displays would have cost them European football.

Manuel Pellegrini, the manager, has been slammed for his 'naive' tactics. He's quietly accepted the criticism, but he must acknowledge that his squad is ageing and the team is suffering as a result. With an average age of just over 29, City have the oldest squad in the league. The energy that characterised our play last term has faded into lethargy, but rather than complain, Pellegrini and his advisors should solve the problem and improve their negotiating skills in the summer window.

Fernando, Bacary Sagna, Eliaquim Mangala and Willy Caballero have not improved the side in any way. A club like Manchester City requires big names to go forward, Roberto Mancini proved that by bringing in Sergio Agüero, David Silva and Yaya Touré who are now considered club legends, but Pellegrini has brought in names unfamiliar to City fans and the more popular ones have been over the age of 30.

We don't need tiring legs, we need fresh ones.

The Blues have been linked with a number of the world's most promising young players this year. The rumours are promising, but City's recent business means fans will approach the window with pessimism. An overhaul of the squad is needed and the club's chiefs must convince their targets that the club is not destined for regression.

Yaya Touré to Inter Milan - Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy)

Good or bad? Good

If City are to overhaul their squad this summer, they must ensure that offloading Yaya Touré is made a priority, but only if a replacement is lined up. The Blues have relied heavily on the Ivorian for his power and composure on the ball in the heart of midfield for the last two seasons, but his ability to drive his team through stubborn defences has deteriorated with age.

Touré is a fine player still capable of dominating his opponents, but City must break their bond with the 31-year-old sooner rather than later if they are ever going to emerge from their reliance on him and receive a healthy fee.

Stevan Jovetić back to Italy - Gianluca Di Marzio (Italy)

Good or bad? Good

Injuries have certainly played a role in Jovetić's calamitous City career, but his playing style and position have had an even more detrimental effect. The Montenegrin isn't a natural forward and prefers a role just behind the striker where David Silva and Samir Nasri will always be preferred due to their superior goal and assist records.

Jovetić is a technically gifted player, but the club made a mistake in purchasing a man who was never going to fit into the side. City are likely to receive a decent fee, between £15m and £20m, for the 25-year-old who is still highly regarded in Italy.

Edin Džeko to Juventus - Tuttosport (Italy)

Good or bad? Good

The Edin Džeko conundrum continues to separate City fans. He's a scorer of important goals, he can be fantastic in the air and he can produce moments of brilliance. The repeated modal auxiliary in that description, however, is the problem. Džeko is capable of great things, but he's infuriatingly inconsistent.

Sergio Agüero and Wilfried Bony are ahead of the Bosnian in the pecking order at the club and Džeko's goalscoring record has plummeted as a result with only 4 league goals this term. City supporters certainly recognise the 29-year-old's value, but also realise that he will not accept a place on the bench any longer. We might as well cash in on him. 

Kevin De Bruyne to Manchester City - Het Laatse Nieuws (Belgium)

Good or bad? Good

Since completing his £16.7m to Wolfsburg last summer, Kevin De Bruyne has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in European football. With nine goals and 16 assists in 26 league appearances, De Bruyne is attracting interest from the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

Het Laatse Nieuws in Belgium claim Begiristain has met with the representatives of the 23-year-old who is valued at around £40m, but his proposed arrival would likely spell the end for Samir Nasri.

Raheem Sterling to City - Daily Mirror (England)

Good or bad? Good

City are in desperate need of a young, pacy, enthusiastic English winger who terrifies defences and scores goals. The perfect candidate has to be Liverpool's Raheem Sterling.

The 20-year-old is set to reject a huge £180,000-a-week offer from the Reds in the hope of moving to a bigger club with more solid European aspirations and I would urge City to break the bank for such a huge talent. City's play has become far too narrow this term and the injection of some English vivacity would kill two birds with one stone.

City to move for £32.9m Alvaro Morata - AS (Spain)

Good or bad? Bad

Personally, I'd stay well clear of the Spanish international (for now). Seven goals in 22 league games is a poor return for a striker and for the astronomical price quoted, City could invest in better players in more crucial positions.

Milner out, Barkley in for £35m - Sunday People (England)

Good or bad? Bad

Although the thought of James Milner leaving the club does not concern me all that much, the suggestion that we could sign a hideously overrated midfielder for £35m does.

Barkley often shows flickers of brilliance, but he is still a raw talent with a frustrating tendency to hold onto the ball instead of making sensible decisions. I can see why the club are monitoring him, his fearsome strike and eye-catching dribbling is impressive, but he's had a poor season in Everton colours and does not warrant a fee of over £20m.

City's heavy reliance on Yaya Touré means that the club must make the correct decision in replacing him. There is very little room for error and bringing in the wrong man could leave our midfield looking very vulnerable. Ross Barkley is not the right man to replace Yaya at present.

City in talks with Paul Pogba - Calciomercato.it (Italy)

Good or bad? Good

He's absolutely the ideal candidate to replace Touré. He's strong, he's agile, he's immensely powerful and he's a scorer of fantastic goals. However, there's one problem; he's Europe's hottest property.

Pogba is likely to command a fee of over £60m if he leaves Juventus this summer and City will want to avoid a bidding war with the likes of Real Madrid who have the financial muscle to shrug the Blues away from the Frenchman, but if City are serious about replacing their most influential player and progressing in Europe, they must break the bank for the 21-year-old.