MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Manchester City will be unable to do anything to keep highly-regarded midfielder Brahim Diaz if he decides to join Real Madrid the English champions manager Pep Guardiola said on Saturday (Dec 29).
The 19-year-old Spain Under-21 international has been in discussions over a move to the European champions, having become frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities at the Etihad Stadium.
If the move goes through, it would be the second time in 18 months that City has lost a talented young player who has become frustrated at not playing.
Jadon Sancho left City for Borussia Dortmund in 2017, and has since gone on to make 29 Bundesliga appearances and win three full England caps.
Guardiola claimed he was not aware of how far discussions had progressed between City and Real over Diaz, but a deal is expected to go through in the coming days for a player who is out of contract at the end of the season.
"I don't have any new information on that," said Guardiola at Saturday's press conference on the eve of their match with Southampton.
"I know they are in conversation, but I don't have any new information about the situation. Today (Saturday), he trained with us.
"I was clear last week when I spoke about it. We do everything to keep them (the young players) but they decide."
Guardiola takes his City team to Southampton looking to end a disappointing run of results, with his side dropping to third place in the Premier League after losing three of their past four matches.
The City manager said he saw it as his responsibility to lead the team back to form as they attempt to catch leaders Liverpool, after the disappointment of consecutive defeats against Crystal Palace and Leicester.
"It is a big challenge for me; I have to show whether I'm good or not," he said.
"I wouldn't say I like the situation but I know it's common in football and I like to handle it.
"I will help them and assist them to help each other and we will come back who we are. We will move forward."
City have struggled in the absence of holding midfielder Fernandinho, who missed the defeats by Crystal Palace and Leicester because of injury, and who remains doubtful for the Southampton game, even though he has returned to training.
Guardiola insists he has no plans to change his mind and buy players in January, repeating a statement he made in November.
"I think the answer was clear two times," he said.
"It is still the same."
The manager said he tried to sign cover for Fernandinho before the start of the season, but was thwarted because his targets could not be persuaded to come to the club.
"We tried in the summer but the players don't want to come. What can we do?
"We wait until the end of the window but it didn't happen."
By Martyn Herman. April 23, Reuters - Christian Eriksen's 88th minute goal finally broke Brighton and Hove Albion's brave resistance to give Tottenham Hotspur a precious 1-0 victory in their quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League on Tuesday.
Eriksen's late goal secures precious win for Tottenham | The
Playing the OLE United way LONDON • With big names like Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane being bandied about, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment as Manchester United manager has largely been seen as a stop-gap measure until the summer.
Forget 'the Man United way', let Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be
SINGAPORE — Singapore's national striker Ikhsan Fandi scored his first competitive goal for his Norwegian club Raufoss IL on Sunday (12 May), and it proved to be a spectacular winner for his side. The 20-year-old was jostling in a crowded penalty area with one minute left in regulation time
WATCH: Singapore youngster Ikhsan Fandi scores his first
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp takes some responsibility for the club's 'long dry spell'. The Reds last won a trophy in 2012 - the League Cup - but have not won the Champions League
Klopp takes responsibility for Liverpool's 'long dry spell
Football: Sport Singapore enters three-year partnership with
Football: Home United claim Community Shield in 5-4 shoot-out win over Albirex Niigata SINGAPORE -Home United have started the 2019 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season on a positive note after beating defending champions Albirex Niigata 5-4 on penalties in the Community Shield on Saturday (Feb 23) evening .
Home United clinch Community Shield after shoot-out victory
Harry Winks has shrugged off criticism of Tottenham after their defeat to Wolves, saying the fact that the north Londoners have even been considered title contenders and are "fuming" at their
Harry Winks shrugs off 'Spursy' slight following shock defeat
(Reuters) - China was all but confirmed as host nation of the next Asian Cup tournament in 2023 after the only other bidders South Korea withdrew from the process. The Korean Football association
China all but confirmed as 2023 Asian Cup hosts after Korea
(Reuters) - Manchester City retained the Premier League title on Sunday, securing top spot with an emphatic 4-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on the final day of the season. City finished with 98
Manchester City beats Brighton to retain Premier League title
Football: Manchester United move into Premier League's top
Madrid (AFP) - Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting
en.rfi.fr/wire/20190524-messi-backs-valverde-admits-barca-are-still-hurting
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting. Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting
- Dembele is expected to sit out Saturday's La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou but will be available for selection against Man United in UCL. Ousmane Dembele returned to Barcelona training on Thursday, April 4, after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Barcelona's Dembele back in training ahead of Atletico, Man
LONDON (AFP) - Cardiff claim they are stunned by a report that the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night.. The English Premier League football club said they remain "deeply concerned" that the pilot David Ibbotson and those who arranged the flight "seemingly completely disregarded the rules of flying and put Mr Sala's life in such danger".
FAS Programmes TV, Calendrier, Résultats, Actualités, Équipe
Teenage Italy midfielder Zaniolo oozes Roman pedigree
0 comments:
Post a Comment