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    7ft Basketballer Mamadou N’Diaye towers above fellow athletes — even Erling Haaland

    BASKETBALLER Mamadou N’Diaye is a towering influence on his fellow athletes — even Erling Haaland.Senegalese N’Diaye, who is 7ft, dwarfed the Norwegian striker who, at 6ft 4ins, is used to looking down on his Manchester City pals.
    Basketball star Mamadou N’Diaye, who is 7ft, dwarfed the Norwegian striker Erling Haaland who, at 6ft 4ins, and City team-mates Ederson and Bernardo Silva
    In another snap, N’Diaye appears as tall as an old telephone box — which are traditionally 8ft 3insCredit: INSTAGRAM/Mamadou Ndiaye
    The star on the basketball courtCredit: Getty
    Goalkeeper Ederson just reached N’Diaye’s bicep — but Bernardo Silva barely made it past his chest.
    N’Diaye met with the City squad after their 3-1 win at West Ham on Saturday.
    He captioned the hilarious snap: “Thanks to @westham @erling.haaland & @bernardocarvalhosilva”.
    One fan commented: “Haaland ain’t supposed to look that tiny” while another joked “I thought Haaland was huge but…”
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    In another snap, N’Diaye appears as tall as an old telephone box — which are traditionally 8ft 3ins.
    The height difference was between N’Diaye and a fellow sportsman was illustrated when F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda, who measures in at 5ft 3in, posed with the basketballer. More

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    Man City postpone contract talks with Kevin De Bruyne until he recovers from injury as star approaches last year of deal

    MANCHESTER CITY have postponed contract talks with Kevin De Bruyne, according to reports.That is despite the Belgian star approaching the final year of his Etihad contract.
    Kevin De Bruyne’s contract talks have been suspended while he is out injuredCredit: EPA
    The playmaker, 32, is a key cog in Pep Guardiola’s side and was instrumental in their Treble-winning season last term.
    But he limped off with a hamstring tear just 22 minutes into the curtain-raising Premier League opener at Burnley on August 11.
    And the Daily Star state the champions put negotiations with the player’s father on ice over extending his Etihad stay.
    That is because they want to wait until De Bruyne is back in action from his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
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    He underwent surgery following the injury and is not expected to return to action until the New Year.
    And come the end of the season, the £375,000-a-week ace will have just 12 months remaining on his current contract which expires in June 2025.
    Manager Pep Guardiola is keen to keep hold of the influential star, who he handed the captain’s armband to this summer following Ilkay Gundogan’s exit.
    It is understood the Spaniard has approved of City offering De Bruyne another two-year contract.
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    Should the ex-Chelsea man accept the terms, he would be tied down at the Etihad until his 36th birthday.
    But failure to agree a new deal would surely see plenty of interest come in – or City risk losing him for free at the end of next season.
    De Bruyne joined the club from Wolfsburg in 2015 for a then-club-record £55million.
    He has racked up 96 goals, 153 assists goals and 13 major trophies – including five Premier Leagues and the Champions League – from his 358 appearances.
    Pep Guardiola handed the Belgian the captain’s armband this summerCredit: Getty More

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    Erling Haaland hilariously recreates Di Canio’s famous referee push in celebration with Silva – with legend watching on

    LET’S get ready to tumble! Erling Haaland celebrated his latest blast of fame by re-living one of the Prem’s most notorious moments of shame.The Manchester City striker recreated Paolo Di Canio pushing late referee Paul Alcock to the ground 25 years ago to the month – as the infamous Italian culprit looked on in the stands at his old club West Ham.
    Bernardo Silva gives fellow Man City scorer Erling Haaland a push like Paolo Di Canio’s on ref Paul Alcock in September 1998Credit: Rex
    Haaland shows he is no better at staying on his feet than Alcock, who was harshly criticised for his ungainly fall 25 years agoCredit: Rex
    Goal machine Haaland was happy to be the fall guyCredit: AP
    Di Canio shocked the football world with his push on ref AlcockCredit: Sky Sports
    Fellow City scorer Bernardo Silva shoved Haaland – with the Norwegian tumbling backwards to the ground just like Alcock did.
    The pair wore huge grins – unlike the ref in September 1998.
    Alcock was ridiculed amid suggestions he fell over too easily.
    But the whistler, who died in 2018 aged 64, insisted he was off-balance – and Di Canio, then of Sheffield Wednesday, was banned for 11 games.
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    Haaland channelled the infamous, iconic incident after rounding off City’s 3-1 comeback victory at West Ham on Saturday.
    Last season’s Treble winners top the Prem as the only side with five wins from their first five games.
    Jeremy Doku, Silva and a typical Haaland finish deservedly overturned a first-half lead given to the Hammers by a diving header from James Ward-Prowse.
    Ex-Borussia Dortmund hero Haaland, 23, hit 35 goals in his 36 Prem matches last term – netting 52 times in all competitions.
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    The £52milion poacher already has seven in five league games this season.
    And after some pundits doubted his suitability for Pep Guardiola’s short-passing side, Haaland is simply telling them to “shove it”.
    Di Canio was banned for his reaction to being sent off following a melee against Arsenal 25 years agoCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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    Lamine Yamal ‘lined up for shock summer transfer to Premier League but Barcelona blocked move for record-breaking teen’

    MANCHESTER CITY tried to sign Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal this summer, according to a club chief.The two clubs have conducted a number of deals in recent years, with former City captain Ilkay Gundogan joining Barca this summer.
    Manchester City tried to sign Lamine YamalCredit: Getty
    Joao Cancelo also signed for the Spanish giants on loan until the end of the season.
    In return City tried to sign 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, according to Barcelona board member Enric Masip.
    He told Radio Marca: “Lamine Yamal and Balde were in serious danger of leaving this summer because there is a club that tried to poach them.”
    But Barca blocked the move from happening and they are now plotting a contract extension for the youngster.
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    Yamal is set to be offered a three-year deal – the maximum that can be given to a player of his age.
    The Spaniard impressed in pre-season for Barca and he has been rewarded for his fine form with minutes for the first-team this season.
    He has featured in all four LaLiga games so far and even has two assists.
    Barcelona boss Xavi is a big fan of Yamal and predicted a bright future for the teenager.
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    He said after Barcelona’s win over Villarreal: “He is a very good player. Very unbalancing, very electric, a difficult opponent to cover. He has a great future.”
    Yamal has also burst on to the international scene and set a new record for the youngest player to represent Spain when he made his debut against Georgia last week. More

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    Kyle Walker signs new Man City deal with hilarious ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ vid after Bayern Munich transfer U-turn

    KYLE WALKER has signed a new contract at Manchester City running until 2026, and celebrated by recreating an iconic movie scene to announce it.The experienced defender was strongly linked with Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window, but has now committed to City.
    Kyle Walker recreated an iconic movie sceneCredit: https://twitter.com/ManCity
    The City star channelled his inner Leonardo DiCaprioCredit: https://twitter.com/ManCity
    Walker’s team-mates went wild with gleeCredit: https://twitter.com/ManCity
    Walker’s new deal will keep him at the Etihad until he is 36.
    Channelling his inner Leonardo DiCaprio, the full-back shouted “I’m not leaving” in a scene reminiscent of The Wolf of Wall Street.
    In the announcement video, Walker’s team-mates all cheered and jumped around to celebrate.
    After signing on the dotted line, the 33-year-old told City’s website: “I’m thrilled to sign a new deal.
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    “My future is with Manchester City and that is the best thing for me.
    “I’ve enjoyed every single moment of the past six years at this fantastic Club.
    “I have an amazing coach, great team-mates and staff and our fans are the best. I feel supported on every single level.
    “The Treble-winning season is one I will never forget and we’re ready to go again and try to win more trophies.
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    Walker recreated an iconic Leonardo DiCaprio sceneCredit: Wolf Of Wall Street
    “I am delighted to continue at a Club that competes for trophies every year and I can’t wait to see what the next few years bring.”
    City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain added: “We are very happy that Kyle will be here until 2026.
    “He is an outstanding footballer and his speed, strength and experience make him such an important member of our squad.
    “For me, he is the best right-back in the world, a player with a unique set of attributes. He brings a very special dynamic to our team.
    “Kyle has been a huge part of our recent success, and we are confident that he will help us compete for trophies in the upcoming seasons.”
    In July it was claimed that Walker had verbally agreed to join Bayern Munich.
    But he later decided to stay at City following talks with Guardiola.
    Walker was spotted going for dinner with his manager at swanky Japanese restaurant MUSU in Manchester last month.
    The full-back joined City from Tottenham in a £50million deal in 2017.
    He has since won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League.#
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    Walker has played 260 times for City and has also won 78 England caps.
    Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate admitted earlier this week that he has twice talked Walker out of international retirement.
    Kyle Walker has committed to Manchester City until 2026Credit: Getty More

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    Jadon Sancho is slow and plays like a Man City player – he’ll never win his fight with Ten Hag, says Man Utd legend

    JADON SANCHO has been branded “slow” and too much “like a Manchester City player” to win his fight with United boss Erik ten Hag.Ex-Red Devils defender Paul Parker made the astonishing claims and also believes the winger lacks the “drive” to save his Old Trafford career.
    Jadon Sancho has only himself to blame, according to Paul ParkerCredit: Getty
    It’s thought club chiefs are unsure if Sancho should play for United again.
    Ten Hag left the 23-year-old out of his squad for the 3-1 loss at Arsenal on September 3, insisting it was because the England ace had trained poorly.
    Sancho fired back at the “completely untrue” explanation and argued he had been “a scapegoat for a long time” – although on Tuesday he deleted that statement from his social media.
    Now Parker has given his incredible verdict on the saga.
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    The former Three Lions star reckons Sancho blew his big opportunity when he returned to action last season following a lay-off for physical and psychological issues.
    Parker told MyBettingSites.co.uk: “He had a very good chance of proving himself when he came back from his extended holiday but he did that.
    “He didn’t grab that chance and we never saw a change in him. 
    “Now he is trying to do a public fight with the manager and he is never going to win that fight regardless if he is right or not. 
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    “He might be right but the manager, the players and the fans have lost all respect for him.
    “It’s all about how Erik ten Hag sees things now. It’s up to him whether he should be given another chance but personally I think his time is up at Man United.”
    Parker was equally scathing in his assessment of the former Borussia Dortmund attacker on the pitch.
    The ex-Fulham and QPR man said: “From his first day at Man United, I could see that he was never going to be the wide player the fans expected.”
    “Fans expected him to be dynamic and full of energy. But he is slow and he plays like a Man City player, which is not what Man United are looking for. 
    “I don’t think there is a way back for him now.”
    Parker added: “He has never looked himself in the mirror and given himself the blame. He should realise that it’s his own fault but he doesn’t have this drive about him. 
    “I don’t think he has that bit about him that it takes to rejuvenate his career at Man United.” More

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    Micah Richards reveals he played ‘agent’ to bring England pal to Man City – only to be awkwardly offered in swap deal

    MICAH RICHARDS has revealed he lured Joelon Lescott to Manchester City – only to be offered to Everton as part of a potential swap deal.The former defender became close friends with Lescott while on international duty with England.
    Micah Richards revealed he told Manchester City to sign Joleon LescottCredit: YOUTUBE @@therestisfootball
    Lescott and Richards became close friends while on England dutyCredit: Getty
    And when Lescott revealed he would like to join Richards at Manchester City, the right-back took it upon himself to make the move happen.
    However, the now Sky Sports pundit revealed there was an unexpected twist to the deal which he did not appreciate.
    Richards, 35, said on The Rest is Football podcast: “I pull Mark Hughes and I said to him ‘Joleon wants to come’ if you’re interested.
    “And he sort of nodded to me like ‘we know that one’.
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    “So a week later I get a call from Joleon who says it looks like it’s going to happen.
    “Joelon’s coming to Man City now and Mark Hughes is only trying to include me in the deal to go to Everton!
    “I’m thinking ‘hold on! I’ve done all the dirty work here getting Joleon to come to Man City’ and Mark Hughes has not even told me anything – he’s trying to get me to go the other way in a swap deal.”
    Richards ended up getting his wish to play with Lescott after the centre-back finally completed a £22million switch to City.
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    Everton had rejected two bids from the Citizens before agreeing to let Lescott leave in the final week of the 2009 summer transfer window.
    The pair would go on to play in City’s 2012 Premier League title-winning team together. More

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    Real Madrid lining up shock transfer move for Man City striker as LaLiga giants eye alternatives to Kylian Mbappe

    REAL MADRID are interested in making a shock move for Manchester City star Julian Alvarez, according to reports.Carlo Ancelotti’s side are exploring the striker market after losing Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League this summer.
    Julian Alvarez has impressed for Manchester CityCredit: Getty
    The Frenchman signed for Al-Ittihad, leaving a significant gap up front for Real Madrid.
    Ancelotti and Co opted not to go big for a striker this summer, instead landing former Stoke and Newcastle flop Joselu on loan from Espanyol.
    While the Italian is currently content with his options, the Spanish giants are expected to recruit a star forward next year.
    Real Madrid have long been linked with Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.
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    They are expected to finally get a deal over the line for the 24-year-old next summer, with his PSG contract set to expire.
    But having been in this position with Mbappe before only to see a move fall through, Real Madrid chiefs are exploring alternative options just in case.
    According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Man City star Alvarez is on Real’s radar.
    They claim that he could emerge as a key target for Ancelotti’s side, should they fail to land Mbappe.
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    Alvarez, 23, has excelled since moving to the Etihad – despite having to compete with Erling Haaland up top.
    He netted 17 goals in all competitions last season, helping City to the Treble while also winning the World Cup with Argentina.
    Manager Pep Guardiola won’t want to lose Alvarez, who has started all four of City’s Premier League matches this term thus far.
    In the absence of a top striker, Real Madrid have been relying on Jude Bellingham for goals so far this season.
    The England star has scored five times in his first four matches for his new side, with his manager setting him a goals target.
    Ancelotti said: “He can reach 15 goals without a problem. He moves very well and that’s why he scores so many goals.
    “He’s a player who learns very quickly, we don’t have to tell him things too many times.”
    Jude Bellingham has had a sensational start to life at Real MadridCredit: Rex More