Antoine Semenyo
January 2026
Semenyo delivered a goal and an assist in City’s 10-1 win, earning strong reviews for adapting quickly to Guardiola’s system. He assisted Lewis with a cross and then scored himself, capping a rapid week that included a final Bournemouth appearance. With Guardiola serving a touchline ban, Lijnders highlighted Semenyo’s pressing, direct running, and ability to slot into City’s style.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
January 2026
Guardiola said Donnarumma’s short passing and composure are better than his reputation, while conceding he cannot match Ederson’s long passing. Guardiola highlighted first touch, decision-making, and tempo in short build-up as key strengths, framing Ederson’s range as an outlier few keepers can replicate.
Ruben Amorim
January 2026
Pep Guardiola expressed sympathy for Ruben Amorim after his Manchester United dismissal, calling him a top manager and highlighting how little time coaches now get. Guardiola cited the Premier League’s fine margins, the importance of time and process, and compared the situation to Enzo Maresca’s exit, arguing managers are hired for ideas but sacked for results.
Calum McFarlane
January 2026
Chelsea Under-21s coach Calum McFarlane has been placed in interim charge after Enzo Maresca’s exit and will lead the team away to Manchester City. He said the first days in charge have been intense but positive, with strong energy in training. McFarlane described a supportive club environment and credited leadership within the squad, highlighting Reece James’ role in rallying the group ahead of Sunday’s trip. Chelsea continue their search for a permanent manager while he handles immediate fixtures.
Antoine Semenyo
January 2026
Manchester City have reportedly reached an agreement in principle to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, with paperwork being prepared. The forward has a £65 million release clause that can be triggered in the January window. City have moved ahead of other suitors by progressing terms with Bournemouth, while Guardiola stayed non-committal publicly. Semenyo has continued producing at Bournemouth and says he is focusing on performances rather than transfer noise.
Mikel Arteta
December 2025
City briefly went top after a late Cherki winner at Forest, but Arsenal reclaimed first place by edging Brighton 2-1, with Odegaard’s early strike and a Rutter own goal enough despite Gomez pulling one back to set up a nervous finish at the Emirates. Arteta admitted feeling “hacked off” by last season’s home draw with Brighton but praised his side’s resilience despite another unconvincing display. He insisted Arsenal are ready to push City all the way, treating routine-looking games as must-win tests in a title race decided by tiny margins.
Pep Guardiola
December 2025
Pep Guardiola says he would much prefer Manchester City to be comfortably top rather than chasing Arsenal, but insists they remain well placed across competitions, close in the league, strong in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, and about to launch their FA Cup campaign. Aiming to avoid a second straight season without a league title, Guardiola urged players not to overindulge at Christmas and highlighted the difficult Forest trip, while also paying tribute to club legend John Robertson, emphasising respect for opponents even amid City’s relentless push for trophies.
Enzo Maresca
December 2025
Manchester City have begun formal succession planning for life after Pep Guardiola, with current Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca emerging as a leading candidate should the Catalan decide to walk away in 2026 despite being contracted at the Etihad through 2027. Internal expectation is growing that this could be Guardiola’s final campaign, so City’s hierarchy are mapping out options early while stressing their 115-charge FFP case will not dictate his future, and Maresca’s Etihad history keeps him high on any potential shortlist.
Oscar Bobb
December 2025
Bobb’s long-awaited momentum hit another setback when he was forced off inside 20 minutes against Brentford, clutching his hamstring. Having already lost most of last season to a broken leg, the winger now faces further uncertainty just as he was rebuilding rhythm and confidence. After treatment and stretching attempts from the physio, Guardiola had no choice but to replace him with Phil Foden, leaving Bobb visibly frustrated. With only five league starts and one assist so far this season, a fresh muscular issue risks pushing him further behind Doku and others in City’s attacking hierarch
Erling Haaland
December 2025
Manchester City overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat Real Madrid 2-1 away, with Nico O’Reilly’s close-range finish and an Erling Haaland penalty cancelling out Rodrygo’s opener and pushing City up to fourth in the Champions League league-phase standings. Madrid briefly thought they had an early penalty before VAR ruled Matheus Nunes’ foul outside the box, and after Rodrygo’s breakaway strike, City exploited Madrid’s defensive lapses, with Haaland punishing Antonio Rüdiger’s foul while the hosts were later denied by misses from Jude Bellingham and Endrick.