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      Injuries and ‘Pep Roulette’ scupper Dream Team gaffers’ plans despite Erling Haaland’s inevitable returns

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      MANCHESTER CITY beat Burnley 3-0 on Friday night to open the curtain on the new Premier League season.On paper, it seemed a result ripe with Dream Team points but many gaffers were left frustrated by how events played out at Turf Moor.
      Another year of trying to second-guess Pep Guardiola!Credit: DREAM TEAM
      Erling Haaland (£8.5m) provided the goods with a clinical brace but given his ownership stands at a ginormous 85% his returns are unlikely to have much of an impact on Mini Leagues or the overall leaderboard.
      There was more variance in terms of captaincy selection but still the majority of Dream Team bosses doubled the Norwegian poacher’s 14 points to 28.
      However, a combination of Pep Guardiola’s team selection and injury misfortunes meant several popular assets missed out in Gameweek 1.
      Kevin De Bruyne (£7m) lasted just 23 minutes before he incurred another injury, an aggravation of the same hamstring issue that forced his premature exit in the Champions League final.
      This is a significant development as the Belgian playmaker is currently the third-most selected midfielder in Dream Team and may now face another spell on the sidelines.
      KDB didn’t last long at Turf MoorCredit: Getty
      Similarly, John Stones (£5m) is the third-most popular defender and was entirely absent at Burnley.
      The so-called ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’ felt a twinge in his hip and was therefore not risked but Guardiola has since revealed the defender may be involved against Newcastle on Saturday.
      Ruben Dias (£5.5m) was another unexpected absentee as he suffered a blow to the head in training which triggered the concussion protocol, meaning he’ll be out for at least seven days.
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      Despite injuries to the regular centre-backs, new signing Josko Gvardiol (£5m) had to make do with a 15-minute cameo at the end of the game – a frustration for the minority of Dream Team managers who took a punt on the Croatia international from the off.
      Jack Grealish (£4.5m) watched his side’s victory over the Clarets from the bench.
      The 27-year-old started Gameweek 1 as the sixth-most popular player in his position having finished last season as a nailed-on selection but Guardiola is ever unpredictable.
      16.6% of Dream Team managers own GrealishCredit: Getty
      When all was said and done, De Bruyne, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol and Grealish combined for just three measly points!
      Dream Team managers should be wary of overreacting to a single fixture, especially the first of the season, but with two transfers per Gameweek there’s enough flexibility to pivot if they so choose.
      Man City provide mountains of points as a collective but identifying which specific players to back can be tricky.
      Keep an eye out for updates after Wednesday night’s UEFA Super Cup.
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      Liverpool to miss out on another transfer target with Man City set to offer £47m for Belgian star

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      RENNES will demand a fee of around £47million if Manchester City firm up their interest in flying winger Jeremy Doku.The Treble winners have shown interest in the 21-year-old as they look to replace Riyad Mahrez.
      Man City are interested in signing DokuCredit: Getty
      Michael Olise of Crystal Palace was one option — but he is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.
      So Doku, who is a Belgium team-mate of Kevin De Bruyne, has now emerged as a possible alternative.
      Rennes are unlikely to let him leave without a fight — but know the player is keen on a move to the Etihad.
      The Telegraph previously reported that the Ligue 1 side will likely demand a fee in the region of £43m to £52m for Doku this summer.
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      Liverpool had previously expressed an interest in signing the winger, with Jurgen Klopp targeting him as a long-term replacement for Sadio Mane.
      He came close to swapping Anderlecht for Anfield in 2018, but instead decided to join Rennes.
      The Reds have continued to keep tabs on him, but they are yet to make a bid.
      And now Man City are expected to win the transfer race.
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      City boss Pep Guardiola has already introduced two new players to his squad this summer.
      Matteo Kovacic joined the club in a £30m transfer from Chelsea in June.
      And Josko Gvardiol became one of the most expensive defenders of all time when he completed a £78m move to the Etihad from RB Leipzig last month. More

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      Ex-Man City star Benjamin Mendy celebrates new club’s draw against PSG as he rebuilds career after being cleared of rape

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      EX-Man City star Benjamin Mendy celebrated his new club’s draw against Paris Saint-Germain last night.The France defender was pitch side for FC Lorient in his bid to rebuild his career after he was cleared of rape and released by Man City.
      Mendy was spotted pitch side as he watched his new club drawCredit: Getty
      It comes after he wasn’t named in the squad for the match against PSGCredit: Getty
      The defender was cleared of rape last monthCredit: AFP
      The French international, 29, was accused of attacking two women during lockdown-busting parties at his Cheshire mansion.
      Mendy then found himself at the centre of a police investigation which lasted for nearly three years.
      But last month, jurors unanimously acquitted the footballer following a retrial.
      Mendy was cleared of one count of rape and one count of attempted rape after three hours of deliberation.
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      He wept as a juror read out the verdict at Chester Crown Court.
      The former Man City star was dropped by the club just one month prior to being found not guilty.
      He has since returned to France after signing for FC Lorient – a team who play in Ligue 1.
      And on Saturday night, he was spotted watching on after not being named in the squad for the match against PSG.
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      The France defender, on the bench when his country beat Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final, donned a black cap, black jacket and white T-shirt.
      As the club started their new season with a draw, Mendy cheered on his teammates alongside football staff.
      Mendy’s return to the sport comes days after his £5million mansion in the UK was put up for sale in his bid to avoid bankruptcy.
      The World Cup winner has put the gated property in Cheshire on the market – while also claiming up to £10million in unpaid wages from City for time he spent suspended from playing.
      Mendy signed a six-year £28million contract with Man City, which included an annual average salary of £4,680,000, in 2017.
      He managed just 75 appearance in all competitions across six seasons.
      Mendy celebrated the draw on Saturday nightCredit: Getty
      Mendy was dropped by City last monthCredit: PA More

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      David Moyes admits Lucas Paqueta’s head HAS been turned by Manchester City – but tells West Ham star he is staying put

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      DAVID MOYES admits Lucas Paqueta’s head HAS been turned by Manchester City’s interest.But, the West Ham boss has told his Brazilian playmaker that he is staying put unless City vastly improve on their verbal offer of around £70m.
      Lucas Paqueta has had his head turned by interest from Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Pep Guardiola is keen to strengthen his squad by bringing in PaquetaCredit: Getty
      Pep Guardiola is very interested in bringing Paqueta to the Etihad to fill the gaps left by the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez.
      Paqueta, 25 – who joined the Hammers from Lyon last August for £51m including add-ons – has four years left on his contract that includes an £85m release clause from next summer.
      West Ham are adamant they do not want to sell another big star during this window at any price following Declan Rice’s £105m departure to Arsenal last month.
      Moyes refused to put a price tag on Paqueta, but it is believed the club would only begin to consider an offer closer to £100m, given they have time to find a replacement.
      City are yet to make an official bid.
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      But as it stands, Moyes has confirmed that Paqueta WILL be a part of the squad that takes on Bournemouth in their Premier League opener tomorrow afternoon.
      Moyes said: “We’ve had an offer from Manchester City, it’s not close enough to our valuation, so at the moment we have no decision [to make].”
      On whether Paqueta’s head has been turned, Moyes added: “There are a couple of football clubs in the world who could turn your head quite easily.
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      “Let’s be fair, Manchester City are probably one of them.
      “I brought Lucas up to speed with everything I know. He’s fully aware of everything. I explained to him where we’re at, what’s been said, so he knows.”
      West Ham have made their first signing of the summer in Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez, 25, for £35m on a five-year deal.
      However, the Mexican international will NOT be involved at the Cherries tomorrow owing to the fact he has not yet trained with the squad after his recent international exploits.
      Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, 28, completed his medical today ahead of his £30m switch, but is not expected to be announced as a West Ham player until early next week.
      Talks continue with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, 30, over a £30m move. West Ham are believed to have agreed to pay £120k-a-week of the player’s £190-a-week wages, with United also forking out a £6m leaving package to cover the two years remaining on his current contract.
      David Moyes insists he has a good relationship with technical director Tim SteidtenCredit: Getty
      There have been reports of tension between Moyes and new technical director Tim Steidten – formerly of Bayer Leverkusen – over player recruitment this summer.
      Moyes is believed to have opted for more British-based targets with Prem experience, while Steidten has been suggesting younger players from the European market.
      On their working relationship, Moyes said: “We have got on very well actually. There has been a lot of rubbish spoken.
      “We may not agree on every player, but there would be something wrong if we did. The longer we are together, the longer we work together, the better it will become.
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      “Tim had been working at another club and had players in mind for his other club.
      “But it’s a different way you’ve got to do it when you’re buying players for the Premier League compared to the German league.” More

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      Fuming Pep Guardiola slaps camera away after shouting at Erling Haaland as fans say ‘if Mourinho did that…’

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      A FURIOUS Pep Guardiola slapped away a Sky Sports camera after shouting at forward Erling Haaland.Guardiola was in typically demanding form as he laid into his star centre-forward despite him scoring two goals during the champions’ first half against Burnley.
      Haaland didn’t seem to react to Pep
      The forward had just scored two
      Pep then slapped the camera
      Before walking away and down the tunnel
      The Catalan marched over to Haaland with arms outstretched and was clearly demanding more from the player – despite him bagging a brace in the first half.
      Much of what he said was inaudible but he was heard shouting “That was totally the opposite” before walking to slap the broadcast camera away.
      Haaland appeared to be completely nonplussed by what his manager was saying and did not reveal a response to Pep’s provocation on the pitch.
      He then took off his hairband to allow his substantial blonde locks to dangle.
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      Fans were quick to react to Pep’s antics on Twitter, with one saying: “Pep pushing the camera & shouting at his Striker who’s bagged two goals nobody cares – but if that had been a certain Jose Mourinho they’d be in f****** uproar and talking about it for months.”
      Another responded: “What more does he want?”
      A third said: “Pep is never satisfied.”
      City got off to a dream start in their title defence with Haaland opening the scoring after just four minutes.
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      Haaland netted the opener from close-range after Rodri put it on a plate for him as normal business was resumed for City.
      But there was a spanner in the works after 22 minutes when De Bruyne hobbled off in what looked like a reoccurence of the hamstring tear he suffered in the final of the Champions League in June.
      Haaland doubled his, and City’s goal tally for the season in the 36th minute with a powerful strike.
      It’s a good omen for the Norwegian who is looking to repeat his golden boot heroics of last season as part of a City team that won a historic treble.
      Vincent Kompany will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last season’s 6-0 drubbing the Clarets received in the FA Cup quarter final. More

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      Kevin De Bruyne splashes out £130,000 on incredible gifts for Man City team-mates ahead of new season

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      MANCHESTER City captain Kevin De Bruyne splashed out £130,000 on solid platinum cased iPhones ahead of the start of the Premier League today.The midfielder gifted the 26-strong squad the posh phones ahead of their match with Burnley at Turf Moor.
      Kevin de Bruyner has treated his team-mates to new phones
      The iPhones are worth £5,000 each
      They are cased in solid platinum
      Jack Grealish looked thrilled with his new mobile
      The phones are engraved with the player’s name and club logo
      The iPhones worth £5,000 each were made by world-leading custom mobile designers iDesign Gold.
      He arranged for all the iPhone 14’s to be engraved with the player’s name and club logo.
      De Bruyne, 32, also handed one over to his boss Pep Guardiola.
      A source said: “It was a touch of class by Kevin, who wanted to show his appreciation for the team.
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      “Last season the club won the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup.
      “He wanted to inspire them to the same success with a little lift ahead of the Burnley clash.”
      The Belgian international said: “I’ve been working with IDG for a few years and I really admire their limited edition phones, they’re like pieces of art.”
      His gift was inspired by Lionel Messi – who treated the 35 strong Argentina World Cup winning squad and staff 24-carat gold iPhones worth £175,000 earlier this year.
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      Manuel Akanji was treated to one of the devices
      As was Champions League hero Rodri
      Man City kick the 2023/24 campaign off with a trip to Burnley tonight.
      It will see a reunion between the club and former captain Vincent Kompany, now the Clarets manager.
      City have added two players to their star-studded squad this summer with Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol joining.
      The treble winners have also been tipped with a move for West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta.
      Ahead of the first whistle, BonusCodeBets have taken a look at what sides have the best and worst results in the opening gameweek across the last ten seasons.
      City came out on top, having won nine of their last ten first games.
      Nathan Ake also got one
      As did Sergio Gomez More

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      Lucas Paqueta ‘agrees six-year Man City contract as West Ham name their price for Brazil star’

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      LUCAS PAQUETA has reportedly agreed a long-term contract to join Manchester City.The West Ham star played a crucial role in the Hammers’ Conference League success last season and has attracted interest from the Treble winners.
      Lucas Paqueta has reportedly agreed a deal with Manchester CityCredit: Rex

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      Man City are thought to have had a bid worth up to £95million rejected by the Hammers.
      Despite this, according to France Télévisions, Paqueta, 26, has agreed personal terms with Man City.
      The report also claims that West Ham are holding out for £110m if they are to sell another star player this summer.
      The club have already lost captain Declan Rice during the transfer window as he joined Arsenal for £105m.
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      Hammers boss David Moyes was asked about Man City’s interest in Paqueta during his press conference ahead of the Premier League season kick off.
      Moyes admitted that there had been an offer but it was “not anywhere near” the club’s price tag.

      He said: “We’ve had an offer from Manchester City, but at the moment, it’s not anywhere near meeting our valuation.”
      It is believed that Paqueta is keen on a move to the Etihad despite only arriving at the London Stadium last summer from Lyon.
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      While in Pep Guardiola’s presser, the City manager gave a very blunt answer when asked about the club’s interest in the Brazilian.
      He said: “I will answer about Kyle Walker but not about Paqueta because he is a West Ham player.”
      West Ham have only signed one player this summer as Edson Alvarez joined from Ajax to replace Rice.
      The club is also close to completing the deals to sign James Ward-Prowse and Harry Maguire.
      However, should Paqueta leave, it would hand a major blow to Moyes and the team as it would create another big hole in the team that would need replacing. More

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      Premier League’s best starters revealed with Champions Man City setting the tone but shock name bottom of the pile

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      THE Premier League’s best and worst starters have been revealed with a shock team bottom of the pile.Manchester City kick the 2023/24 campaign off with a trip to Burnley on Friday night.
      Man City have the best opening day recordCredit: Reuters
      Newcastle tend to struggle in their first games of the seasonCredit: Getty

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      Ahead of the first whistle, BonusCodeBets have taken a look at what sides have the best and worst results in the opening gameweek across the last ten seasons.
      City come out on top, having won nine of their last ten first games.
      Their only defeat came at the hands of Tottenham two years ago.
      Liverpool are also used to a flying starts and are the only undefeated side.
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      They last lost their first game in 2012 when they were shocked 3-0 by West Brom.
      Manchester United on 24 points, Chelsea and Spurs both with 22 also enjoy fantastic opening day records.
      Luton head to Brighton for their first ever Premier League game and the Seagulls must not underestimate them as they are the sixth best starters.
      Towards the wrong end of the table, shockingly Newcastle have the worst first game results.
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      Opening day records over the last ten years
      Over the last ten years the Toon have only claimed seven points on day one of the season.
      That is not much worse than Sheffield United on eight and Crystal Palace on nine.
      Meanwhile, West Ham are also slow starters and have the worst goal difference in opening gameweek fixtures on -13, conceding 22 goals in the process.
      The Hammers have faced horror fixtures to begin over the years against the likes of Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd.
      They met Erling Haaland on his Prem debut last season when he scored twice in a 2-0 win.
      Other notable placements see Arsenal sit ninth after mixed results with five wins and five losses. More