The bookies have looked into their crystal balls and believe that Pep Guardiola will fashion a side that will sweep all aside in 2017/18 and so the Blues already have short odds for the next campaign.
Here Is The City report: “This Premier League season is far from over just yet, with Chelsea facing a tricky trip to Manchester United this weekend.
“Despite this the bookies are already offering odds on where the 2017/18 title may end up, and the Blues are not being tipped to lift the crown.
“SkyBet have Manchester City as favourites at 2/1, with Pep Guardiola expected to fight back in his second season once he remodels his side in the transfer market this summer.
“City are in fourth position in this year’s race, 14 points off top spot.”
Maybe the ‘perfect goal’ versus Hull has convinced them!
Meanwhile The Hard Tackle suggest City are keeping tabs on a highly-rated Barcelona teenager as they write: “City and Borussia Dortmund are reportedly both vying for the signature of Marc Cucurella, whose Barcelona deal is set to expire at the end of the season.
“The Daily Mirror are reporting that Manchester City are showing interest in Barcelona wonderkid Marc Cucurella. The Citizens, though, will have to battle Borussia Dortmund for the player, who looks set to leave the Catalans in the summer.
“At 18, the player has four Under-19 international appearances for Spain and is highly touted to be a superstar in the near future. However, Cucurella’s deal is set to expire at the end of the current season and there have been no developments regarding the extension of his contract at Barcelona.
“The situation makes Barcelona susceptible to the prospect of losing another great prospect at a young age to a Champions League rival. And there are clubs interested in the 18-year-old. Manchester City are keeping a keen eye on developments surrounding his contract situation while Borussia Dortmund are said to be interested as well.”
This Is Futbol carry the slightly more sensational headline this morning, claiming the Blues have moved to the head of the queue in the race to sign Real Madrid star James Rodriguez.
The Colombian is reportedly unhappy with life at the Bernabeu and is attracting interest from many top European clubs.
They write: “Manchester City have emerged as favourites to sign James Rodriguez.
“According to a report in The Sun, the Real Madrid striker looks set for the Etihad in a £50m summer deal despite interest from Chelsea and Manchester United
“Rodriguez joined Real in 2014 following an impressive World Cup series for Columbia but has failed to live up to expectations with the Spanish side.
“With just three goals this season Real are looking to bring in a new striker with Rodriguez making way for fresh blood.”
Finally, another alleged target City have been linked with for several months is reportedly attracting strong interest from his former boss.
Virgil Van Dijk won’t face the Blues this weekend due to injury and the Saints would surely be reluctant to sell one of their prized assets.
Nonetheless, The Liverpool Echo write: “Ronald Koeman will join Chelsea and Manchester City in a battle for the 25-year-old.
“Van Dijk switched to the Wasserman Group agency recently - they also represent the Everton boss.
“And Koeman hopes their previous working relationship can convince Van Dijk to move to Goodison Park rather than Chelsea or City.”
And that’s all the media speculation and gossip for today… more of the same tomorrow.
