We’re blending future and present, fantasy (football) and reality in this morning’s round-up ahead of the home clash with Brighton on Saturday.
There’s transfer speculation over a Ligue 1 player, plus which young City starlet has been compared to Italian great Franco Baresi?
First to the MEN’s Man City reporter Stuart Brennan, who has had a go at predicting how City will line-up in five years’ time.
He writes: “Foden is just part of the plan. City do not expect him to be a sole standard-bearer for their much-vaunted academy, a one-man return on all the investment.
“Indeed, they hope that if and when he kicks down the door and becomes a fully-fledged squad member – and he may just have done that with his display at Oxford – it will be a beacon and an example for many to follow.
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“Brahim Diaz is the obvious name that goes along with Foden. The two pals have come through the ranks together, and their progress has virtually been parallel.
“Guardiola also surprised everyone by chucking 17-year-old Adria Bernabe into the squad – and giving him a debut at the Kassam Stadium – to reward his bright start to life with the Blues
“As well as handing a debut to the unflappable Aro Muric, he manager threw in two more names after the 3-0 win, mentioning young Spanish defender Eric Garcia and striker Felix Nmecha.
“Garcia made everyone sit up as he starred for the Blues in their pre-season tour of the USA, a fresh-faced teenager who had the composure and eye for danger of Franco Baresi.”
Over in France City are being linked with Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele - this time in Le10Sport.
Meanwhile Seagulls boss Chris Hughton has been giving his perspective on Saturday’s game at the Etihad.
He told the Club’s official website: “Along with playing Liverpool away, I would say that this is the toughest game. We did okay in the Liverpool one and might’ve got a result there, so you always have to be positive going into games like this.
“No-one expects us to get anything from it, so that’s normal and that pressure is taken off, but we want to do as well as we can.
“Irrespective of the different levels between the two teams and their qualities, there isn’t ever any game we go into thinking that we’re going to get beaten. You have to look at the good examples of our performances against the big teams away from home.”
And finally, for those Fantasy Premier League players out there, a couple of City players feature in the latest expert scout picks. And you can get Sergio Aguero for £11m - surely a bargain!
The column reads: “Sergio Aguero (£11.4m) has been the most selected Fantasy Premier League captain in each of the last three Gameweeks.
“And the Manchester City striker will be heavily backed again for his home match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
“Aguero has been far more reliable as a captaincy option at the Etihad Stadium this season.
“He has produced a goal or an assist in all three of his home appearances, averaging 11 points per match.”
That’s your lot for today, we’ll be back same time, same place on Saturday for all the matchday build up!
