MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Manchester City will be unable to do anything to keep highly-regarded midfielder Brahim Diaz if he decides to join Real Madrid the English champions manager Pep Guardiola said on Saturday (Dec 29).
The 19-year-old Spain Under-21 international has been in discussions over a move to the European champions, having become frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities at the Etihad Stadium.
If the move goes through, it would be the second time in 18 months that City has lost a talented young player who has become frustrated at not playing.
Jadon Sancho left City for Borussia Dortmund in 2017, and has since gone on to make 29 Bundesliga appearances and win three full England caps.
Guardiola claimed he was not aware of how far discussions had progressed between City and Real over Diaz, but a deal is expected to go through in the coming days for a player who is out of contract at the end of the season.
"I don't have any new information on that," said Guardiola at Saturday's press conference on the eve of their match with Southampton.
"I know they are in conversation, but I don't have any new information about the situation. Today (Saturday), he trained with us.
"I was clear last week when I spoke about it. We do everything to keep them (the young players) but they decide."
Guardiola takes his City team to Southampton looking to end a disappointing run of results, with his side dropping to third place in the Premier League after losing three of their past four matches.
The City manager said he saw it as his responsibility to lead the team back to form as they attempt to catch leaders Liverpool, after the disappointment of consecutive defeats against Crystal Palace and Leicester.
"It is a big challenge for me; I have to show whether I'm good or not," he said.
"I wouldn't say I like the situation but I know it's common in football and I like to handle it.
"I will help them and assist them to help each other and we will come back who we are. We will move forward."
City have struggled in the absence of holding midfielder Fernandinho, who missed the defeats by Crystal Palace and Leicester because of injury, and who remains doubtful for the Southampton game, even though he has returned to training.
Guardiola insists he has no plans to change his mind and buy players in January, repeating a statement he made in November.
"I think the answer was clear two times," he said.
"It is still the same."
The manager said he tried to sign cover for Fernandinho before the start of the season, but was thwarted because his targets could not be persuaded to come to the club.
"We tried in the summer but the players don't want to come. What can we do?
"We wait until the end of the window but it didn't happen."
Football: Guardiola hopes Champions League pain spurs on Manchester City MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Pep Guardiola wants the pain of Manchester City's gut-wrenching Champions League elimination at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur to inspire a charge for an unprecedented domestic treble.
Guardiola hopes Champions League pain spurs on Manchester
Ozil courts controversy again, Football News & Top Stories
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer boosted by Jose Mourinho's work, claims Louis van Gaal Description: Van Gaal's claims seem at odds with the more entertaining football played by United since Solskjaer started a reign that looks set to bring him the manager's job on a permanent basis.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Louis
Kane making 'fantastic' recovery, says Spurs boss Pochettino Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane is making a "fantastic" recovery and could be back in action ahead of schedule following the ankle injury he suffered last month against Manchester United.
Football: Kane making 'fantastic' recovery, says Spurs boss
For a lion, learning to hunt is one of the most important skills that it will ever acquire. In the early days hunting is a combination of instinct, observation, and practice for young lions. Wildlife photographer Heidi Watson was on a game drive at Rhino River Lodge when guests were privileged to
On The Hunt | Young Lions
(April 24): Christian Eriksen's 88th minute goal finally broke Brighton and Hove Albion's brave resistance to give Tottenham Hotspur a precious 1-0 victory in their quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League on Tuesday.
Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 First Leg - Olympique Lyonnais v FC Barcelona - Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France - February 19, 2019 Barcelona's Lionel Messi shoots at goal from a free
Football: Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Lyon
Bilbao (Spain) (AFP) - Lionel Messi was short of fitness and Barcelona lacked spark as a goalless draw away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday offered fresh hope to their rivals in the title race. A thigh injury had limited Messi to 27 minutes against Real Madrid on Wednesday and while he played the full match at San Mames, Barca's assistant
Barca give fresh hope to La Liga rivals after Bilbao stalemate
Where Next for José Mourinho as Real Madrid Have an Itch to Scratch? London - John Duerden, Paul Wilson, Adam White, Andy Brassell, Artur Petrosyan and Sid Lowe "Sports"
Where next for José Mourinho as Real Madrid have an itch to
Football Athletics Rugby Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal . Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is confident Gonzalo Higuain can be the short-term solution to his side's need for goals
Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal - Sarri
Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford are vital to Manchester United's future, despite rumoured interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Pogba and Rashford key to Man United's future, says Solskjaer
LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino said on Tuesday that Hugo Lloris will remain in goal for Tottenham despite a series of costly errors this season. Lloris has endured fresh criticism after his fumble led to Toby Alderweireld's decisive own goal in the final minutes of Tottenham's 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday.
Pochettino gives backing to under-fire Lloris - World Soccer Talk
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/04/02/pochettino-gives-backing-to-under-fire-lloris/
Pochettino gives backing to under-fire Lloris AFP April 2, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Mauricio Pochettino said on Tuesday that Hugo Lloris will remain in goal for Tottenham despite a series of costly errors this season.
Pochettino gives backing to under-fire Lloris | Sport24
Football: Bologna earn Serie A survival in six-goal Lazio thriller Bologna's Andrea Poli (left) celebrates with teammate Riccardo Orsolini after scoring his side's first goal against Lazio during
Football: Bologna earn 'miracle' Serie A survival in six-goal
Almoez Ali scored with a spectacular overhead kick for a record ninth goal of the Asian Cup to set Qatar on their way to a first continental title with a stunning 3-1 win over four-times champions
Football: Ali on target as Qatar stun Japan to win first
0 comments:
Post a Comment