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      Man City’s worst transfers, from flop Jerome Boateng to Jack Rodwell and £42m mistake Eliaquim Mangala

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      MANCHESTER CITY have invested over £1BILLION in the transfer market over the past decade so, naturally, there are going to be some flops.For every David Silva, Yaya Toure, or Erling Haaland there’s an Eliaquim Mangala or Jack Rodwell.
      Three great signings out of four ain’t badCredit: EPA
      Fortunately for current boss Pep Guardiola, most of the club’s most useless transfers came before the Spaniard brought them continued success.
      Here, SunSport details the five WORST signings City have made in the Premier League era….
      Eliaquim Mangala – £42m (2014)
      Mangala was strongly criticised by the media during his time at CityCredit: AFP or licensors
      Joleon Lescott left the Etihad Stadium after Manuel Pellegrini’s side won the title and Mangala was heralded as a ready-made replacement.
      The defender’s first two seasons saw the club drift away from the top of the table and he was often hammered for poor positioning and slow reactions.
      A solid loan spell at Valencia earned Mangala momentary reprieve under Guardiola but, after 15 appearances, the new boss binned him off before serious injury struck in a 2018 spell with Everton.Jack Rodwell – £12m (2012)
      Injuries curtailed Rodwell’s progressCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Rodwell was an up-and-coming star at Everton but became a symbol of City’s trigger-happy stockpiling when jumping ship at the age of 21.
      There was a problem, however: City already had an excellent set of central midfielders.
      Battling past Yaya Toure, James Milner, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Javi Garcia, Gareth Barry and Fernandinho was too much for Rodwell and he left after two years and just 25 appearances.
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      Jerome Boateng – £10m (2010)
      It is painful enough seeing a former player go on to great things but City didn’t even get close to utilising Boateng’s full potential.
      Perhaps player and club were doomed from day one, the German tearing a tendon in his knee the week before the season began and aggravating it when a drinks trolley bashed it on a flight.
      A year later, Boateng asked to head back home and was allowed to leave for Bayern Munich – going on to win a World Cup, a Champions League and seven Bundesliga titles.
      Jo – £19m (2008)
      Jo arrived with a great record for CSKA MoscowCredit: Reuters
      A top striker in Russia when snapped up by Mark Hughes, Jo struggled to say the least – scoring once in nine league outings before being moved on six months into his stay.
      A brief upturn in form at Goodison Park gave the Citizens some hope of turning a profit… but a dismal 2009-2010 season on Merseyside dropped him back at City.
      Failing to take another chance the following season, Jo finally left to return to Brazil, having cost much more than Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta combined.Wilfried Bony – £25m (2015)
      Bony was sent back to Swansea in 2016 but couldn’t find form there, eitherCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ten goals in 46 games, only six of which came in the league, is a poor record for any striker, but for an expensive forward at a club aiming to win the title? Terrible.
      The Prem top scorer for the calendar year of 2014, Bony initially couldn’t play for City due to African Cup of Nations duty and a summer bout of malaria came after a quiet start.
      That stunted his hopes for the following year and the club learned their lesson, from then on turning their attention away from signing top players from smaller sides. More

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      Ex-England star’s wonderkid son picked for Man City’s Under-19s, even though he’s only 16

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      A former England international’s son was named in Manchester City’s U19s squad for their Uefa Youth League clash with Copenhagen on Tuesday night.City beat the Danish outfit 3-1 as they took their record to three wins and a draw in this season’s competition.
      Teenager Jaden is following in the footsteps of his famous fatherCredit: @j_heskey
      The youngster joined Man City on a scholarship deal in the summerCredit: @j_heskey
      Heskey enjoyed a lengthy career at the top level for both club and countryCredit: Getty
      But that was not the headline for the evening.
      On the bench was Emile Heskey’s son Jaden, 16, who joined the Premier League champions’ academy eight years ago.
      He did not feature in the 3-1 victory, but his mere presence on the bench was enough for people to take note as he is already being selected for an age group side well beyond his years.
      Jaden was just eight when he began training with Man City’s set-up after his dad returned to England following at Newcastle Jets.
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      And the teenager then penned a scholarship deal with the club back in July as he continues his journey to becoming a professional.
      Jaden showed his ability last month when he scored against Liverpool’s U18s.
      But he still has a long way to go if he is going to eclipse his father’s achievements in the game.
      Emile, who hung up his boots in 2016, played for the likes of Leicester, Liverpool and Aston Villa during his Premier League career.
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      He won two League Cups at Leicester, before collecting two more and the FA Cup at Liverpool.
      The striker also claimed the UEFA Cup during his time on Merseyside.
      At international level, he scored seven goals in 62 appearances for England.
      He was included in their squads for the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004 and 2010 World Cup.
      Emile recently took up the position as head of women’s football development at Leicester City. More

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      Erling Haaland arrives for Man City clash with Copenhagen clutching £10k Louis Vuitton cherry print holdall bag

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      ERLING HAALAND swapped hitting the onion bag for carrying a pricey bag as he arrived for Manchester City’s clash against FC Copenhagen. The striker has been in sensational form on the pitch, and it seems he has rewarded himself with a trendy holdall.
      Erling Haaland sported a cherry-wrapped Louis Vuitton holdallCredit: Getty
      But the 22-year-old did not feature for his team during the gameCredit: Getty
      The rest of his look was low-key with a black-out lookCredit: Rex
      The 22-year-old sported a Louis Vuitton bag complete with a cherry print.
      The bag, popular with celebrities, costs a cool $12,000 (£10,900).

      That is a drop in the ocean for the Norwegian, who earns £375,000 per week at City.
      Earlier this week, reports emerged suggesting Haaland has a release clause in his contract with the club which will activate in 2024.
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      However, the figure for this – it’s claimed – is set at a staggering £175.5million.
      For the first time since his arrival at Man City, Haaland didn’t feature in the 0-0 draw with Copenhagen following a first-half red card for fellow new boy Sergio Gomez.
      Before this, Haaland had become the first City ace since Billy McAdams in 1957 to net in ten successive games.
      He has also bagged 20 goals already this term, in just 12 Premier League and Champions League appearances.
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      Indeed, his electrifying early career goal tally sees him miles ahead of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo at the same age.
      City will face one of their biggest tests of the season next, with long-term challengers Liverpool in their sights for revenge after they lost the Community Shield. More

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      Erling Haaland has massive £175MILLION Man City transfer release clause – but it doesn’t apply to Premier League rivals

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      ERLING HAALAND has a £175million release clause in his Manchester City contract that will trigger in 2024, according to reports.The Norwegian superstar has taken the Premier League by storm since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
      Erling Haaland is loving life in ManchesterCredit: Getty
      Haaland has bagged 20 goals in 12 competitive matches – already sparking interest from abroad.
      Recent reports in Spain suggested that there is a “Madrid” clause in the 22-year-old’s contract that would enable the Spanish giants to sign him from City.
      This was denied by boss Pep Guardiola, who said: “It’s not true — he has no release clause for Real Madrid or any other team.
      “It’s not true. What else can I say?”
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      According to The Athletic, however, there IS a release clause in his deal that will become active in 2024.
      They claim that in the summer of 2024, clubs overseas will be able to sign Haaland for £175.5m.
      Crucially, this clause will NOT apply to other Premier League clubs.
      The report adds that the release clause fee will decrease as Haaland’s contract then progresses.
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      Far from seeking an exit, however, Haaland is happy at the Etihad.
      He earns more than £375,000 a week at City, a number that could rise even further should he eventually move… or pen a new deal.
      Prior to the weekend’s 4-0 victory over Southampton, in which Haaland scored his 20th of the season, Guardiola said: “Every press conference I have done this season — out of 50 questions, 45 are for Erling.
      “For me, it is OK. But we are fortunate that the guys who are here accept it perfectly.
      “There are other guys who would not like it. Guys who had won four or five Premier Leagues and yet all the talk was about Erling? They would not like it in other clubs.
      “We don’t have that. This is why it is a joy to train these players.”
      Pep Guardiola has loved working with Erling HaalandCredit: AFP More

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      Man Utd legend Roy Keane predicts Arsenal are biggest challengers to Man City for Premier League title this season

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      ROY KEANE says Arsenal are now the biggest challengers to Manchester City’s Premier League crown.The Gunners beat City’s usual title rivals Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday to retake top spot from City.

      Bukayo Saka fires in to seal Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Liverpool on SundayCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      It left the Merseyside giants 14 points off the title pace.
      It also pushed the Citizens back into second – a point behind Mikel Arteta’s in-form side after both have played nine league games.
      Keane, who regularly went toe-to-toe with Arsenal in Prem title races during his Red Devils heyday, says they are the real deal again.
      Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football show, he said: “Yes at the moment without doubt [they are City’s main rivals].
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      “They are playing with confidence and even in the game they lost against United recently they played quite well.
      “It was just one of those days where United obviously beat them on the counter-attack.
      “They are playing with confidence and they have a bit of physicality now in the team.
      “Even the two two centre-halves – I know they have had a mistake in them – but there is that physical presence.
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      “They’ve got got good players in midfield and they’ve got young players full of energy and full of talent.
      “They are scoring goals, an electric atmosphere at their ground, and that momentum.
      “So at this moment in time they are obviously the biggest threat to Manchester City.” More

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      Pep Guardiola looks bemused as reporter jumps him with last ditch selfie request in press conference

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      MAN City boss Pep Guardiola thought he had seen it all in football – until a journalist asked for a selfie DURING a press conference.Guardiola, 51, was about to speak to the media in Copenhagen ahead of City’s Champions League clash in the Danish capital on Tuesday.
      Pep Guardiola kindly poses for a selfie with a journalist
      The Man City boss was made to wait as the reporter struggled to make his camera workCredit: AFP
      But before he could take any questions, a local journalist in a face-mask approached him with his phone.
      And the reporter then cheekily asked the former
      and Bayern Munich manager for a selfie.
      Pep was so stunned he politely said: “Sorry?” before agreeing to the snap.
      Guardiola was then made to wait awkwardly as the reporter struggled to take the selfie on his phone.
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      Pep did crack a smile after the bizarre exchange, which came the day before City’s clash with FC Copenhagen.
      Guardiola admits he would love to have the luxury of a settled back four – but he cannot rely on his defenders to stay fit.
      The one constant about Manchester City’s season so far is that Erling Haaland has been banging the goals in up front.
      But it has been a different story at the back with Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte all battling injuries.

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      So the Etihad boss may have to rely on job shares among his backline to get his team through a busy season.
      Guardiola said: “I would love to have the same back four but they cannot handle it.
      “The players we have cannot handle every three days of being fit, other teams might be able to, but we can’t.
      “Nathan can’t, Ruben last season, Aymeric came back from a big injury so it’s important for us everyone can play and everyone can perform well.
      “If you want to be in there with all the titles we are fighting for and with the World Cup and be in that position to fight until the end and we need to be ready to fight until the end, otherwise it will be so difficult.”
      To prove the point, Stones (hamstring) and Walker (groin) stayed at home when City flew to Denmark on Monday.
      The arrival of Manuel Akanji just before the transfer deadline has given Guardiola some breathing space.
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      And the Swiss has helped to improve defensive performances since his £15.1 million arrival from Borussia Dortmund.
      Guardiola said; “Well I would say the last game was better defensively. In general it’s good but we can do better in many aspects.” More

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      Amir Khan meets Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish & Man City squad at training weeks after Fergie encounter at Old Trafford

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      AMIR KHAN is continuing to mingle with the sporting elite after retiring from the ring.The 35-year-old former unified world champion hung up his gloves after losing to Kell Brook in February.
      Amir Khan got to meet Erling Haaland at Manchester City’s training groundCredit: Instagram @amirkingkhan
      The former boxer also posed with boss Pep GuardiolaCredit: Instagram @amirkingkhan
      Amir Khan pictured posing with midfielder Ilkay GundoganCredit: Instagram @amirkingkhan
      Jack Grealish had a warm welcome for the Bolton boxerCredit: Instagram @amirkingkhan

      Not that the Bolton fighter seems to be missing the boxing world as he is now spending time with a number of iconic names from football instead.
      Khan has posted a number of photos he took while visiting Premier League title holders Manchester City.
      While using the classic fist pose, he was snapped with the likes of boss Pep Guardiola and midfielders Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez.
      He captioned the photos with: “Thank you @mancity for inviting me to your training ground. Had a lovely time meeting manager/players and watching them train.”
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      However, it seemed to be the club’s scoring sensation Erling Haaland that the Bolton Wanderers fan was most delighted to meet.
      He made a separate Instagram post of a video clip that captured the moment he met the Norwegian hotshot.
      Haaland towered over Khan and seemed just as pleased to meet the ex-boxing star.
      It comes just weeks after Khan stunned fans when he “violated” Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford – then posted a bizarre caption from Wikipedia on Instagram sharing the moment.
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      He enjoyed a catch-up with Fergie at the Theatre Of Dreams, in a clip also shared on Instagram.
      The pair were full of smiles as they laughed and appeared to discuss their physiques.
      Fergie endearingly placed a hand on Khan’s shoulder while they spoke.
      But it was Khan’s reaction that shocked fans and left them jokingly claiming he violated the ex-United boss as he proceeded to rub Fergie’s belly – causing it to jiggle.
      Khan was then mocked for his caption on the picture, as it was a direct excerpt from Wikipedia.
      The caption read: “Lovely to meet Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester Old Trafford Stadium. Best known for managing Manchester United from 1986 to 2013.
      “He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football managers of all time.”
      Amir Khan met Sir Alex Ferguson just a few weeks agoCredit: Instagram More

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      Pep Guardiola’s stunning daughter Maria relaxes in figure-hugging black dress and knee-high boots

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      WHILE Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side are blowing everyone away in the Prem, his daughter is doing the same off the pitch.Maria Guardiola, 21, is emerging from the shadow of her football genius father.
      Maria Guardiola stunned fans with a tight black dress in a London hotelCredit: Instagram @mariaguardiola
      Her knee-high boots impressed fashionistas on social mediaCredit: Instagram @mariaguardiola
      Pep’s daughter has over 400k fans on Instagram
      She regularly wows followers with her glamourous lifestyle
      She has over 412,000 followers and regularly wows them with sensational snaps.
      Last week, Maria posted an image on Instagram in an amazing figure-hugging black dress and knee-high boots from a hotel in London.
      Her latest shot was certainly on target with supporters.
      A City fan said: “Beautiful like the father.”
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      One exclaimed: “Marry Haaland so we can get tactical genius baby Haaland.”
      Another added: “Celebrating Man Utd’s demise.”
      Maria was romantically linked with former Tottenham ace Dele Alli last year after the two were spotted sharing a rooftop snog.
      They were later seen leaving a Starbucks together months after his split from model Ruby Mae.
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      Maria has been very vocal about her love of Man City, thanks to father Pep.
      The die-hard City fan has also joined her father on the pitch at the Etihad to celebrate a win – while Erling Haaland is said to be her favourite player.
      The red hot striker has already hit 20 goals this season and has accompanied this with a trio of Premier League hat-tricks.
      The 22-year-old scored a third consecutive home hat-trick in his side’s 6-3 thrashing of local rivals United last weekend, then followed it up a brace against Copenhagen in the Champions League.
      With one more on Saturday against Southampton, Haaland became the first Manchester City player since Billy McAdams in 1957 to score in 10 consecutive games in all competitions. More