It has been a very good week for Manchester City.
Not only did the Blues reopen a 15 point lead in the Premier League, but they also completed the signing of Aymeric Laporte for a club record fee.
The 23-year-old impressed on his debut midweek and he is excited by the challenge ahead.
“[The Premier League] is different from La Liga because for example you don’t know what a foul is and what is not,” explained Laporte.
“But little by little I am going to get the hang of it.
“It is just a matter of playing more games, getting more experience and getting used to it.”
Pep Guardiola will be speaking to the press today where he is expected to give a squad injury update as well as preview the trip to Turf Moor.
Stick with us as we bring you all the transfer news LIVE from the Etihad.
Key Events
What a reaction
Safe to say, some City fans are happy with the return stateside
'Always a pleasure'
Mendy’s been out in America to announce the pre-season tour.
He said:
“The soccer fans in the United States are so passionate about the game and it’s always a pleasure to visit here.
“When I go back to Manchester and tell the players about my trip I know they will be really excited to come here in the summer.
“We can’t wait to play in front of our US fans again.”
We're going to America!
There had been talks about a return to China - where Guardiola’s City saw a derby with United called off due to a poor pitch in 2016 - but the Blues have instead opted to go west again across the Atlantic.
Dyche: 'City are the best side'
Burnley’s Sean Dyche has been talking ahead of the City game, and agrees it’s going to be tough for them – and that’s something that they love.
Dyche said:
“It’s another chance for us to take on one of the super powers of the league. We have done well against them over the season.
“Manchester City are the best side this season and they have shown that, quite obviously. I think everyone agrees.
“They are a very powerful side, both home and away. But that’s what we love about football. These challenges are there for you to take and we want the team to take on the challenge.
“We had a really good go at these in the FA Cup, certainly for 60-65 minutes.
“We want to take on these games. Although they are hard games, I think it’s terrific for these teams to be visiting Turf Moor, for our fans to see them and, more importantly, see their own side challenge these teams like we have done.”
He was also speaking about their situation ahead of the City game. He says they’re not likely to see midfielder Steven Defour for the rest of the season.
“It is likely to be the season, I would think.
“Credit to Steven. His mentality has been solid this year and he has played very well.
“He wanted to carry on with it. He had a sore knee but nothing major, and he was getting on and managing it wisely over the last few weeks.
“It was only really a precautionary scan that showed there was some cartilage off his knee and he’s going to have to have that dealt with.
Burnley look ahead from City
City have taken a look at the Burnley game on their website.
While Burnley’s away form has been excellent this season, their home form has not been quite as impressive.
PFA Fans' Player of the Month award
You’ve got a few days left to get your votes in... who will you pick?
Horrific news from South America
Claudio Bravo has tweeted his condolences after the horrific news about a bus crash in Paraguay that has claimed the lives of at least three children - said to be from a football school in Chile.
Good luck!
The next generation are in action tonight...
EDS in action tonight
Who’s going to win?
Injury latest
Silva and Mendy...
Mahrez update
Claude Puel, whose Leicester team faces Swansea on Saturday, said Mahrez will be assessed once he ‘clears his head’ following the collapse of his move to City.
“Riyad will not be available for this game.
“I hope for Riyad he can clear his head and he can come back with us because he’s a valuable player for us, crucial in our play. We need to stay united after all this.
“It’s a difficult situation. We have to manage this with calm. We cannot change the situation - the transfer window is finished. Like professionals, we have to keep our focus.
“His teammates wait for Riyad to come back. They’re friends.
“I understand his disappointment. It was an opportunity for him. He plays for Leicester, he gives a lot good things. He can also have a good ambition with us. Riyad, after some time, can come back with us.”
Is Jose playing mind games
He’s had his say on the title race. And so has Pep.
Jack Harrison interview
Pep Guardiola didn’t seem entirely convinced that he knew who he was today, but it’s a good story.
More on Silva
It sounds like David Silva will be assessed today. It will be a surprise if he starts.
“Yesterday he could not train, he had a painful kick in the side, we are going to see how he is today.”
Players change positions
Some insight into the coaching process
Basically we see in training and you feel it. If Zinchenko has to defend for 90 minutes he is going to suffer but if we dominate the game eh can help us a lot. you talk with your staff, the player and you sense it. In many cases we have seen wingers playing as full backs or midfielders playing as centre backs. I think the players in front can play behind but for example a centre back would be difficult as a midfielder.
Tommy Doyle for England
A well-deserved call for Tommy.
Pep response to Mourinho
He refuses to say it’s over.
There is 13 games, 39 points to play, we are 15 ahead, It’s not over. We have tough games left to play. We cannot deny and everyone knows how tough it is at Burnley. We have Arsenal, United, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Injury updates
No Silva for Burnley? That would be a blow. Good news on Benjamin Mendy, though.
Jesus injured
Gabriel Jesus is still injured, and it sounds like he will be out for the whole of February.
He is still four or five weeks with rest.
He's here
Pep has arrived.
He's late
And still not as late as Matt Phillips was on Brahim Diaz.
Mourinho concedes the title
Genuine or mind games?
Pep upcoming
He’s here again.
Liverpool-Spurs
Another big game on Sunday, and Liverpool are turning to the City game for inspiration.
City duo nominated for player of the month award
Two City players are in the running for the PFA Bristol Street Motors Premier League Player of the Month Award.
Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane have been nominated this month.
They’re up against:
- Marko Arnautovic (West Ham)
- Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
- Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester)
- Son Heung-min (Spurs)
City vs Burnley
Who do you think should start tomorrow?
Bernardo calls out the boot boys
Bernardo Silva believes City are being unfairly targeted for some rough treatment by opponents.
City players have been on the receiving end of a series of bad tackles over the past two months and manager Pep Guardiola has repeated a call for referees to offer better protection several times.
The controversy continued on Wednesday as Brahim Diaz was caught by a high, studs-up challenge by Matt Phillips late in City’s 3-0 win over West Brom at the Etihad Stadium.
Kevin De Bruyne also managed to skip over a cynical attempt to foul him by James McClean in the build-up to City’s second goal.
This came after City winger Leroy Sane suffered ankle ligament damage that will rule him out for at least six weeks after a tackle from Cardiff’s Joe Bennett last weekend.
Asked if City were being targeted, Silva said: “Obviously. It’s clear over the last few months - we’ve seen with Leroy.
“It was a terrible accident and now he’s injured for two months - a very important player. (On Wednesday) it could have been Brahim and it could have been Kevin on the second goal.
“I think, as the coach says, the referees have to do their job and if it’s a red card they have to give the red card. They are not doing that over the last few months.
“We hope that soon they start protecting our players because the way other teams are tackling our players it’s not part of the game, it’s not fair play and they have to try to punish the players that play this way.”
Press conference
The manager will address the media soon in about an hour.
Ederson ready to rumble
Here we go.
Champions League squad
A couple of new faces...
