We begin with the news that Fabian Delph could be set to miss the Euros – and if the reports are accurate, it will complete a miserable season for the ex-Villa man.
Delph’s campaign has been littered by niggling injuries and the BBC report: “Midfielder Delph is unlikely to make England’s final 23-man Euro 2016 squad because of a groin strain, coach Roy Hodgson says.
“The Manchester City player did not travel with the squad to the North East for Friday’s friendly against Australia, and has been placed on the standby list.
‘Delph is not with us,’ Hodgson said at Thursday’s news conference. ‘He’s stayed in Manchester - that means he probably won’t be in the 23.’
Hodgson will cut his current 26-man squad by three over the weekend, with the Uefa deadline for squads to be submitted on 31 May.”
Staying with England and Raheem Sterling has admitted his first season with the Blues has gone as he would have liked.
Sterling is desperate to rediscover the kind of form that he showed for City in the first few months of the campaign with the Mirror reporting: “Raheem Sterling is fearing for his Manchester City future due to a crisis of confidence over his form at the Etihad.
“The England winger was said to be ‘distraught’ after coming off during the Three Lions’ 2-1 friendly victory over Turkey on Sunday.
“Sterling will be given a chance to rediscover his best in Friday’s friendly international against Australia, but has claimed he has been robbed of his rhythm and belief since joining City from Liverpool last summer in a £47m transfer.
“Sterling believes that the ‘two-touch’ style of football he has been encouraged to play under Manuel Pellegrini – which is likely to become even more pronounced under new City boss Pep Guardiola – does not suit his natural game, especially his ability to run at opposition defenders.
“That is unlikely to happen given that Hodgson is a huge admirer of Sterling – who he started at the last World Cup when the player was still a teenager - and that the Three Lions boss currently has precious few natural wide options at his disposal.”
Wilfried Bony continues to be linked with a move away from City with Turkish Football the latest to suggest the Ivorian may be set for warmer climes.
They write: “Besiktas are set to make a loan offer for Manchester City striker Wilfred Bony according to Fanatik.
“The report claims that the Black Eagles are keen on bringing in the Ivory Coast international to play alongside Germany international Mario Gomez going into the Champions League next season.
“Bony joined City on a £25 million move from Swansea City last season but failed to settle in despite scoring nine goals and providing six assists last season.
“It remains to be seen if Pep Guardiola has plans for Bony next season but Swansea are also reported to be keen on signing the powerful striker.”
Staying with Pep and his successor at Bayern Munich believes the Spaniard will give City ‘a new identity’.
Gulf Today write: “Guardiola, who will replace Manuel Pellegrini at City in July, made a stunning start to his managerial career as his immensely successful four-year spell at Barcelona yielded 14 trophies, including two Champions League titles.
“The 45-year-old’s three-year tenure at German side Bayern was slightly less successful as he guided them to seven trophies but missed out on the elusive Champions League title. Ancelotti was certain Guardiola would inject new life at the Etihad Stadium.
‘When Guardiola left Barcelona, people said, ‘Ah he is not able to repeat the same style of play at Bayern Munich because he doesn’t have (Lionel) Messi’,’ British media quoted him as saying.
‘But by the end Bayern were playing with the same style as Barcelona. Different players, but the style is there. It will be the same at Manchester City.
‘Guardiola for this reason is a fantastic manager because he is able to build a really strong identity of his team. I think Manchester City signed Guardiola for this reason, to establish a new identity, a new style, a new culture.’”
Finally this morning, after not missing a single game with injury so far in 2016, let’s hope Sergio Aguero’s luck hasn’t run out as he prepares to take part in the Copa America.
Golazo Argentina report Kun may be suffering from a knock as they write: “Sergio Agüero is the latest Argentina player to train separately from the rest of the squad and is unlikely to figure tomorrow evening when La Albiceleste face Honduras in San Juan.
“The Manchester City striker was in Gerardo Martino’s preferred eleven in training on Wednesday but after complaining of a muscular injury, was not risked on Thursday when Lionel Messi and Éver Banega joined the group.
“Agüero joins Javier Pastore and Ezequiel Lavezzi on the side-lines but all three are still expected to travel with the squad and be prepared for the Copa América, which takes place between June 3rd and 26th.”
Fingers crossed that he’s OK – more gossip and transfer rumours tomorrow morning…
