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      Man City 1 Liverpool 1: Trent Alexander-Arnold equaliser sees Citizens drop points on title rivals after Haaland opener

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      TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD frustrated Manchester City and their fans with a late equaliser.Moments after opening goalscorer Erling Haaland had gone close to doubling City’s lead, Alexander-Arnold swept home a Mo Salah pass to level the score.
      Liverpool rescued a point against Manchester CityCredit: AP
      Erling Haaland netted the opening goalCredit: Reuters
      Trent Alexander-Arnold netted an equaliser in the second halfCredit: Reuters

      The England star ran provocatively over to the City supporters and put his finger to his lips.
      They responded with fury and boss Pep Guardiola will also be annoyed not to have seen off their title rivals.
      Until that moment, it looked like Erling Haaland’s record-breaking strike was going to decide the game.
      The Norwegian’s 50th Premier League goal in his 48th appearance made him the quickest to that landmark, beating Andrew Cole’s record by a massive 17 games.
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      There was less between the two teams and Haaland’s was on course to be the difference.
      While fellow No 9 Darwin Nunez failed to turn some decent first-half openings into goals, City’s netfinder general made the most of his only opportunity.
      His goal was a case of third-time unlucky for Liverpool as they created their own problems with sloppiness at the back.
      After a dull opening, Alisson made things interesting by clearing straight to Phil Foden but the City star’s shot was straight back at the goalkeeper.
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      The Reds had done nothing going forward until suddenly Nunez had two chances in a minute. Ederson did well to tip over the header from Salah’s cross, but the Uruguayan should have done better when played in by Dominik Szoboszlai, finding himself crowded out after delaying his shot.
      But City were having the better of it.
      Curtis Jones put Alisson under pressure with a backpass and Haaland almost capitalised, before Jeremy Doku beat Alexander-Arnold only for the Reds to smuggle the cross behind.
      And then Alisson was punished for another poor bit of distribution, although he was badly let down by his defence as well.
      It was his 50th in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      Nathan Ake collected Alisson’s sliced kick out of his hands and beat Szoboszlai and Alexander-Arnold way too easily before playing in Haaland.
      Joel Matip was caught on his heels and although the Liverpool ‘keeper got a hand on Haaland’s shot, he could not keep it out.
      City looked comfortable, except when Manuel Akanji’s pass was picked off by Szoboszlai. But after the Hungarian found Nunez, the striker could find only the side netting.
      City almost extended their lead before the break, but Alisson got down brilliantly to keep out Foden’s effort. Ederson did the same to stop Salah’s cross that was dummied by Szoboszlai.
      The defender was wearing new boots for the matchCredit: AP
      Liverpool came out for the second half with more zip and intent.
      Alexander-Arnold got forward more in the opening minutes than he had in the first 45.
      But the first chance fell to Julian Alvarez as City found themselves with a man over on the break. Doku picked out the World Cup winner with a cross but he sent his shot well over the bar.
      Diogo Jota picked up a knock that led to him being replaced by Luis Diaz, while Ryan Gravenberch replaced Jones.
      A look at the match stats
      Haaland spooned a half chance over the bar but the game was now end to end and the visitors sensed there was still plenty in it for them.
      Ruben Dias diverted a dangerous Szoboszlai cross behind for the latest in a series of Liverpool corners.
      Dias had the ball in the net himself only for referee Chris Kavanagh to signal a soft-looking foul on Alisson by Akanji.
      Nunez had another sight of goal, but Ederson saved easily enough at his near post before Haaland sent a header over the Liverpool bar.
      Liverpool player’s average positions against Man City
      Where Man City players were on average against Liverpool
      The Norwegian went closer when he diverted a Doku cross goalwards from close range, but Alisson blocked.
      And seconds later his team was level.
      There seemed little danger when Salah retrieved a crossfield pass by Diaz. But he laid it into Alexander-Arnold’s path and one touch and one shot later, it was arrowing into the far corner of Ederson’s net.
      City were given hope of a winner when eight minutes of added time were announced.
      But a blocked shot by Bernardo Silva was as close as they came until Haaland’s glancing header from an Alvarez corner drifted agonisingly wide. More

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      Pep Guardiola tipped to ‘completely change’ England squad with two uncapped goalkeepers if he succeeds Southgate

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has been tipped to transform England’s squad if he became manager – starting by bringing in two uncapped keepers.Manchester City’s Treble-winning chief is rated the FA’s dream choice as successor, should current boss Gareth Southgate depart after the Euros.
      Jason Steele only became Brighton first-choice No 1 in January this yearCredit: Alamy
      Burnley’s summer recruit James Trafford has played 16 times for England U-21s but has yet to win a senior capCredit: Rex
      Pep Guardiola prefers keepers with excellent ball skills such as Man City’s EdersonCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      And Guardiola would then be expected to re-shape England’s playing style – into the passing game he’s enjoyed so much success with at the Etihad, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
      Ex-Three Lions stopper Ben Foster believes that could mean call-ups for Brighton’s Jason Steele and Burnley new boy James Trafford.
      Both keepers are comfortable with the ball at their feet – like City’s Ederson.
      Steele, 31, has only been a Seagulls regular since January this year, with former No 1 Robert Sanchez later moving to Chelsea.
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      And Trafford, 21, is in his first Premier League season after switching from the Etihad to the newly-promoted Clarets in the summer.
      Ex-Manchester United and West Brom man Foster said on his Fozcast podcast: “I think if we had Pep Guardiola as England manager, we would win tournaments.
      “He could pick anybody. I think he could pick Steele at Brighton or Trafford at Burnley, genuinely. He would completely change it.”
      Southgate has stuck with Everton’s Jordan Pickford as first-choice keeper, with Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone the established back-ups.
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      But Foster, 40, added: “Have you seen the way Steele does it for Brighton, by the way? It’s outrageous.
      “That’s the style of play he wants to go with. That’s interesting, isn’t it? That is a can of worms.”
      The Mail claim Guardiola is England’s top pick as replacement if Southgate decides to bow out after next summer’s tournament. More

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      Man City missed out on inserting ‘Jadon Sancho clause’ into deal when they sold Cole Palmer to Chelsea for £42.5m

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      MANCHESTER CITY did not insist on a sell-on clause in Cole Palmer’s transfer to Chelsea, according to reports.City cashed in twice on Jadon Sancho after selling him to Borussia Dortmund in 2017, and then seeing him move to rivals Manchester United four years later.
      Manchester City do not have a sell-on-clause on Cole PalmerCredit: Rex
      Pep Guardiola’s side pocketed over £10million after United paid a whopping £73m for Sancho in 2021.
      But there will be no such repeat of that if Chelsea are to sell Palmer in the future.
      According to The Daily Mail, City were happy to accept the £40m up front for Palmer, plus the £2.5m in potential add-ons.
      As an academy product, the sale can be listed as profit in City’s books.
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      And the deal was seen as good enough not to require further negotiation on a sell-on clause.
      City have reaped the benefit from other deals in the past, including when Spurs signed Pedro Porro from Sporting for £42million in January.
      They also had a 20 per cent clause on Romeo Lavia, who joined Chelsea this summer from Southampton for £58million.
      Chelsea were said to be pleasantly surprised that no clause was inserted in their deal for Palmer.
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      Especially after seeing the new England star make a fantastic start to life at Stamford Bridge, making the fee look like a bargain.
      Palmer has established himself as a regular in Mauricio Pochettino’s first XI, scoring four times in his six league starts for the side.
      The 21-year-old earned his first call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England side this international break and made his debut against Malta.
      Palmer is expected to start again for Chelsea in tomorrow’s clash against Newcastle as Chelsea look to continue their good form following on from a difficult start to the season. More

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      Mario Balotelli cheats death after smashing £100k Audi into wall in horror accident before ‘refusing breathalyser test’

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      MARIO BALOTELLI was lucky to escape serious injury after crashing his £100,000 Audi Q8 into a wall.The terrifying accident, which nobody else is believed to have been involved in, happened at 8.30pm on Thursday in the Italian’s hometown of Brescia.
      Mario Balotelli has been involved in a car crash that destroyed his Audi Q8Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Italian media reports that he then declined to take a breathalyser testCredit: Getty
      The ex-Man City star crashed his black Audi Q8 into a wall at 8.30pmCredit: https://twitter.com/MARCAinENGLISH
      The star was checked by paramedics inBrescia but escaped major injuryCredit: https://twitter.com/sportxmagazine
      Balotelli climbs into the ambulance to be checked out
      SportMediaset are claiming that the 33-year-old former Manchester City striker allegedly then refused to take a breathalyser test after crashing his black motor into a wall.
      According to the Italian newspaper Fatto Quotidiano,  the ex-Liverpool ace lost control of his Audi Q8 and smashed it into a wall.
      The impact of the collision forced the air bags to go off as medics quickly raced to the scene after being called.
      Balotelli, who has previously dated Belgian model Fanny Neguesha and was recently spotted with a beautiful mysterious blonde, managed to climb out of the wreckage and was then attended to by paramedics after lying on the ground.
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      Then SportMediaset say that local cops tried to give Balotelli a breathalyser test, but the Italian international declined.
      The news outlet then states that led to police confiscating Balotelli’s driving licence.
      The 2012 Premier League title winner’s brother, Enock Barwuah, is then said to have arrived on the scene of the crash after returning from training with his local football team and then took Balotelli home.
      The controversial forward has never been far from the headlines throughout his careerCredit: AFP
      Mario Balotelli returned to Turkey with Adana Demirspor this summerCredit: Getty
      Balotelli, who now plays for Turkish side Adana Demirspor, is back home in Italy while he recovers from an injury.
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      The controversial ace has just recently returned to Turkish Super Lig side Adana Demirspor after previously spending the 2021/22 season there.
      Balotelli, who recently sold his fleet of supercars including a Ferrari and Lamborghini after losing his passion for them, left City for AC Milan in 2013 but surprisingly returned to the Prem a year later with Liverpool.
      He struggled to impress at Anfield, scoring just once in 16 games, before going back to Milan on loan.
      Balotelli did enjoy a three-year spell at Nice after leaving Liverpool in 2014, making 76 appearances and scoring 43 goals before he moved across the French Riviera to rivals Marseille for a season.
      It was a short but successful spell having scored eight goals in 15 appearances, but he returned to Italy for stints with Brescia and Monza before going to Turkey for his first spell at Adana.
      He then joined Swiss Super League club Sion for what turned out to be a disastrous season but appears to now be trying to resurrect himself in Turkey.
      Balotelli has never been far from the headlines throughout his career for his antics both on and off the pitch.
      Balotelli, pictured with Micah Richards, won the Premier League and FA Cup at Man CityCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The Italian international has had a fleet of supercars over the yearsCredit: Ray Bradbury – The Sun
      Balotelli showing off his white Bentley back in 2012Credit: Xposure
      The 33-year was spotted driving this red Ferrari in 2014Credit: Eamon and James Clarke
      He was pictured in Venice with this mystery lady in August
      Balotellli dated model Fanny Neguesha until 2013
      During his time at City, he infamously set off fireworks in his rented home causing thousands of pounds worth of damage – then days later he became the face of a firework safety campaign.
      Balotelli also started 2020 in typically bumpy fashion after being involved in a car accident at 6am on New Year’s Day.
      This time he was in the passenger seat of a silver Fiat 500 Abarth when it crashed into the gate of a bakery in northern Brescia.
      A friend of the player was driving the vehicle after an evening celebrating the new year in a nightclub when it bounced off the kerb before rolling into the gate.
      Neither man inside the car was hurt and Balotelli completed his journey to his house in nearby Mompiano on foot before heading to bed.
      More recently, a video surfaced of Balotelli just weeks after joining Sion appearing to stumble out of a bar in Lausanne with his arms draped around a lady in red and another male.
      That clip quickly went viral and he soon found himself in the headlines again.
      He missed training for several days afterwards, but the club would claim that was down to him suffering bronchitis.
      Balotelli’s fireworks antics were just the start of his explosive time at Man CityCredit: Man City
      Balotelli and Mancini had an infamous training ground fight at Man CityCredit: Eamonn Clarke
      Balotelli once allegedly paid a bar owner £1,800 to drive a moped into the sea in just his pants.
      He is claimed to have paid the man £1,800 back in 2019 to drive his moped over the edge of a marina in Naples before he published the footage on Instagram, showing the crowd that had gathered to watch the daring stunt.
      Later on, he posted a clip of attempting to start up the rescued moped.
      Incredibly, after a few splutters, the engine kicked into gear and it was working once more.
      Balotelli and former City boss Roberto Mancini were also spotted GRAPPLING during a training session in front of the cameras back in their time together at the Etihad.
      Mancini later described the incident saying that it was sparked by a crunching tackle from the forward on Gael Clichy.
      He said: “In a training session, I said to players not to make stupid tackles on Gael Clichy because he was just coming back from injury. And then, Mario made a strong tackle on him. I was furious.
      “I grabbed him by the collar wanting to push him but he is so strong physically I couldn’t move him.
      “From seeing the pictures, you would think that we came to blows but nothing happened.
      “He came into conflict with some team-mates because of his behaviour and he wanted to return to Italy.
      “I was disappointed that he wanted to leave because he should have done so much more in an extraordinary championship.”
      Balotelli is back in Italy as he recovers from his latest injuryCredit: Getty More

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      Man City star Jeremy Doku was lazy winger who would ‘greatly annoy’ coaches at Anderlecht – now he could be world’s best

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      JEREMY DOKU’S old coaches are amazed at his Manchester City success – believing he was lazy and not good enough for a European giant.But now they reckon the £55million summer arrival from Rennes can become the “best player in the world”.
      Jeremy Doku is enjoying a stunning Prem debut seasonCredit: Getty
      The Belgium winger, 21, has notched three goals from 13 games in his first season in England, as well as five assists in nine Prem matches.
      But Antwerp-born Doku angered bosses during eight years at Anderlecht.
      Benoit Haegeman, the Belgians’ youth-team coach, said: “Jeremy didn’t like to run, didn’t like to defend and didn’t like to use the fitness room.
      “He had a lot of self-belief, but everyone at Anderlecht thought he had a lot he needed to work on.
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      “His left foot, his strength in the air and his positioning all needed to be better.
      “Everyone at the club thought Jeremy was good enough to play professionally for Anderlecht or another team in Belgium.
      “But not for a top European club such as Manchester City.
      “We are a bit surprised by him, but above all very proud.”
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      Jan Verlinden, Doku’s educational advisor at Anderlecht, added: “His greatest quality was ‘dare and repeat’.
      “Even when he would lose the ball he would try the same action again – sometimes to the great annoyance of his coaches.
      “But a lot of foreign clubs, such as Liverpool and Chelsea, then began to follow his progress.
      “Romelu Lukaku made a film in which he tried to convince Jeremy to complete his education with Anderlecht.
      “I don’t see why he can’t go on to become the best player in the world.  Anything is possible with him.” More

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      I’m a Brazil legend now working for Disney… Erling Haaland is a Mickey Mouse finisher compared to me

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      BRAZIL legend Luis Fabiano insists he would have done a lot better than Erling Haaland if he had the same opportunities as the Manchester City superstar.Haaland has set the world alight with a staggering 69 goals in 71 appearances for City since moving to the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
      Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland has broken a raft of records alreadyCredit: Getty
      Luis Fabiano insists he would have eclipsed Haaland’s exploits if he had the same chancesCredit: Instagram @luisfabianooficial
      Fabiano was one of the most prolific Brazilian goalscorersCredit: AFP
      Many claim the Norway international is already one of the best strikers in the history of the game despite the fact he’s only 23 years old.
      The ex-Red Bull Salzburg star broke Premier League records on his debut season .
      One of them saw Haaland become the Prem’s all-time leading goalscorer in a single campaign.
      However, Fabiano insists he would have eclipsed all of the Norwegian star’s exploits if he had the same chances as him.
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      The former Sevilla hero was no slouch himself as he amassed a total of 229 goals in 489 appearances throughout his 19-year career.
      The ex-Porto ace also registered 28 goals in 45 caps with Brazil until his retirement in 2017.
      And the 43-year-old, who now works as a commentator for Disney, argues he would have made a much bigger impact if he had the same team-mates and opportunities in front of goal as Haaland.
      Fabiano told Benja Me Mucho: “I would also break all the records that Haaland has.
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      “With that team there, with the opportunities he has? I would still break his record. Now, do ‘one, two’ with him.
      “Thanks to my team-mates too [when I scored]. But then there’s my quality in front of goal.
      “Haaland has 30 opportunities and scores three goals. If I had 30 opportunities, I would score 10 or 20 goals. That’s it. the difference.” More

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      I starred for Man City but I now make millions selling Lamborghinis and Ferraris to the rich and famous

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      FANS of Manchester City will remember Dutch international Nigel de Jong for his combative nature on the pitch.The midfielder famously committed one of the worst fouls in a World Cup final ever to go unpunished when he launched a karate kick into the chest of Xabi Alonso.
      Nigel De Jong launched Continental Cars in 2007Credit: Instagram @nigeldejong
      The former City star studied for an economics degree while in the Ajax academyCredit: Instagram @nigeldejong
      His business focuses on selling luxury vehiclesCredit: Instagram
      De Jong counts Premier League players and shakes as clientsCredit: Instagram
      De Jong racked up 137 appearances for City after arriving from AC Milan in 2012, winning a Premier League and an FA Cup during his time in Manchester.
      With opposition midfielders letting out a shared sigh of relief when he retired from the game last year, it was interesting to see what his next move in the game would be.
      The Dutchman has made sporadic appearances as a pundit for ITV, often during major international tournaments such as the Euros and World Cup.
      And while he now works as the technical director of the Dutch national team, he still has a very nice side hustle which has been earning him money dating back to his early playing days.
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      De Jong studied for an economics degree during his time in the youth set up at Ajax and has put it to good use ever since.
      While playing for Hamburg in Germany, De Jong founded a luxury car business called Continental Cars in 2007.
      De Jong made it his mission to only sell the finest cars in the world and stocks Bentleys, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Aston Martins, and Rolls Royces.
      During his playing days, he made the most of having access to a clientele of professional footballers and sourced cars for the likes of Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski.
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      De Jong became accustomed to success at CityCredit: Getty
      He was part of the first City team to win the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      He’s sold cars to Mesut OzilCredit: Instagram
      And Lukas PodolskiCredit: Instagram
      De Jong credits his business acumen to his grandfather, who was a managing director of Ford in Holland.
      De Jong said: “My grandfather was one of the CEOs of Ford in Holland and I saw closely how he developed himself as a businessman.
      “He was always on time, making sure payments were never late, paying attention to service and giving customers extra, always making sure the company and his family was stable.
      “I looked up to him, and off the pitch, I wanted to be like him. I also think his professionalism is something I carried with me as a footballer too.”
      He emphasised the importance of footballers investing in their education outside of football when he spoke to Joe, saying: “My mother always said ‘football is only part of your life, you have to develop yourself beyond that’ and I felt it was vital for me to do something for myself that wasn’t related to it.
      “Besides being a professional player, I had the dream of owning a company and when I had the money and the expertise, I made it happen.
      “God gave me the talent and the strength to become a football player, which gave me the financial resources and empowerment to improve in other areas.
      “I think it’s so important for football players to be smart with what they do with their salaries, because it can become an investment or be gone before you know it.
      The Dutch FA were so impressed with his business chops that they sought him out to be a technical director for the national sideCredit: Instagram @nigeldejong
      The footballer made millions from his venture alongside footballCredit: Instagram
      He’s encouraged other players to get the same education he did so they can do the sameCredit: Instagram
      He admits there is a temptation for young players to waste their moneyCredit: Instagram
      A sample of some of the brands De Jong has to choose fromCredit: Instagram
      “It is very tempting in our industry to live for now – to buy the expensive cars and live a flashy lifestyle – but you have to plan so you’re able to do that in future too.
      “This is an education players should get from a very early age to help them deal with the money they’ll make.”
      De Jong said not only does he deal with footballers wanting the most luxurious cars, but he has dealt with Middle Eastern Sheikhs that need motors sourced too.
      He said to Voetbal International: “Of course many footballers know where to find us,” he said.
      “But also business people, collectors, and we just have to work hard for it, it’s not that we’ve had success for ten years.
      De Jong forms a business power couple with wife Winonah, 41.

      De Jong at the launch of one of his wife’s collectionsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      De Jong’s collection would be the envy of any petrolheadCredit: Instagram
      Winonah runs her own fashion label named WINONAH which launched in 2015.
      The former midfielder now invests in other businesses with high potential.
      Speaking to Bundesliga.com he said: “Some people say footballers are thick and not bright enough to be entrepreneurs.
      “But when I see that a company has potential, I move the borders and go all the way for it.”
      De Jong now works as the Dutch national team’s technical directorCredit: Getty More

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      Man City star Bernardo Silva reveals he’s already plotted out future transfer… and it’s NOT to Barcelona

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      BERNARDO SILVA has revealed where his future transfer lies and it’s not at Barcelona.The Manchester City star plotted to continue his career at his boyhood team as he confessed he “wants to return to Benfica”.
      Bernardo Silva has revealed he wants to return to BenficaCredit: Alamy
      Having been heavily pursued by the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Silva committed his future to City by signing a new contract until 2026.
      However, with a £50million release clause that can be activated next summer, the 29-year-old revealed he wants to go back to his roots.
      Silva said Benfica will be a natural step in his career as he feels he has unfinished business with the Primeira Liga side.
      He told CNN Portgual: “I want to return to Benfica. If the club wants me at the time, obviously things will happen.”
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      The Portuguese star made his debut for the Lisbon side when he was 19 -years-old and went on to win the domestic treble in the 2013-14 season.
      But after his year-long loan at Monaco Silva was forced out of the Portuguese club and sold for £13.7million to the French giants in 2015.
      Despite the bitter exit Silva went on to say he is “incapable” of representing rivals Porto or Sporting CP because of his love for Benfica.
      He added: “I was incapable of playing for FC Porto or Sporting. It’s not going to happen.”
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      In 2017 Silva headed for the Premier League and signed a £43.5million deal with Manchester City.
      Since he arrived at the Etihad he has become a key member of Pep Guardiola’s team and assisted the Cityzens to historic Trebel glory last term.
      Silva has made 319 appearances and scored 58 goals across seven seasons at Man City.
      And to strengthen Guardiola’s side Silva hopes to work his Portuguese magic to recruit Benfica wonderkid Joao Neves.
      The 19-year-old has impressed both City and rivals Manchester United as Silva expresses the club’s desire to sign his Portugal teammate.
      Silva is trying to help City land Benfica wonderkid Joao NevesCredit: Getty More