Welcome, November: the eleventh month of the year and apparently, the first day the rumour mill for the January transfer window is fully kicked into gear.
READ: Etihad Player of the Month nominees revealed
WATCH: Doyle on debut | ‘My mum burst into tears!’
Today, the City-centric headlines are packed with gossip on potential incomings, despite the fact we’re still two months away from the window actually opening… Expect more of this in the coming weeks, I’d imagine.
Thankfully, there is also some football-related content, including previews for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Southampton, plus comments from Gabriel Jesus on striker partner Sergio Aguero and his alternative position, and Joe Hart opens up about his first impressions of Vincent Kompany…
City v Southampton: Match previews
Southampton FC: Press conference round-up: Man City vs Saints
Ralph Hasenhüttl: “It is another game against a not-so-bad opponent, but, as always, you have a chance to get something. Both teams will take from Tuesday’s game the good and the bad things and try to change a few things. They will do it and we will do it.
“It’s another game of being as nasty as possible and giving them not so many chances and be a little more self-confident.
“I think we were physical and tried to win the duels in the zones we could win it. It’s seldom possible to press them high and this is why we immediately dropped and came back in shape after losing the ball.
“This is not our normal style. Normally we want to stay in and keep them under pressure, but they are so calm on the ball and have so much quality, it’s not so easy to press them high, as they don’t really get upset about getting pressure.”
Premier League: De Bruyne can win race to ten assists
“If Kevin De Bruyne gets an assist at home against Southampton, he will reach double-figures at an unprecedented pace and increase the threat of one of the competition’s longer-standing records being broken.
“The Manchester City playmaker is on nine assists already after just 10 matches, almost halfway to Thierry Henry’s single-season record of 20.
“And De Bruyne already has a head-start of five on Henry, who set up only four goals in Arsenal’s opening 10 matches in 2002/03.”
From the players
Goal: Jesus open to wing role at Man City despite having to battle more than just Aguero
Gabriel Jesus: “It’s City you know! The competition is very high. City has good players, an amazing team, so whoever is playing is going to do good work.
“I like this position but I am always going to respect the manager’s decision.
“Since the Copa America, I’ve played right winger [for Brazil]. I like it. I started there in this position for Brazil and my old club. And after I played as a striker.
“Of course I like to play both positions and I think it’s very important that you can play more than one.”
(On Sergio Aguero): “It’s difficult to describe Sergio. Sergio is the top scorer for the club and every game he shows us why he’s the top scorer.
“Of course, I have to learn from him, he’s a legend. He scores in every game. I won’t score every game. I think we’re different, me and Sergio.
“I am 22 and I have to improve my football – my qualities, my finishing – I have to do it and I have to learn from Sergio.”
Manchester Evening News: Joe Hart reveals his first impression of Vincent Kompany after he joined Man City
Joe Hart (on Vincent Kompany on the Gloved podcast): “He’s always wanted to be a leader, even when he first arrived and people didn’t know who he was.
“You don’t just turn up at Man City for a couple of million quid and bring the kind of aura he brought.
“He earned everyone’s respect with the way he played, self-sacrifice and a real warrior spirit.
“Good things inspired him, bad things angered him, that’s what I think is really special about Vinny.”
Transfer gossip
Adrian Kajumba: “Manchester City are among the clubs tracking Romanian starlet Florinel Coman.
“City have made a number of checks on the 21 year-old Steaua Bucharest winger who is one of his countries brightest prospects and even been likened to France star Kylian Mbappe by his club’s owner Gigi Becali.
“Coman was part of the Romania side that stunned Aidy Boothroyd’s England during the summer’s Under-21 European Championship.
“West Ham and Italians Roma are also monitoring Coman.”
Four Four Two: Manchester City want to bring Jadon Sancho home next summer – but they’ll face a fight
“Manchester City are reportedly set to fight Manchester United for the signature of their former player Jadon Sancho next summer.
“United were heavily linked with a move for the England international over the summer but a switch failed to materialise.
“According to Sport Bild, they will face serious competition from the Premier League and further afield next summer.
“City are said to be keen on bringing him back to Manchester, while Liverpool and Chelsea are also on the list of interested parties.
“The English heavyweights could have to fight off Barcelona and Real Madrid for his signature, though.”
James Dutton: “Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is attracting interest from Manchester City and Barcelona, according to reports in Italy.
“The deep-lying midfielder is in demand having fallen down the pecking order under new boss Maurizio Sarri.
“Both the champions of England and Spain are interested in taking advantage of the situation, claim Corriere dello Sport.”
Daily Star: Arsenal set for Man City transfer battle over £60m-rated Real Madrid star Isco
Duncan Robinson: “Arsenal will reportedly fight it out with Manchester City to sign Real Madrid midfielder Isco.
“He is still highly thought of around Europe, however, and would command a high transfer fee should he leave Madrid.
“According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal and Manchester City are two of the teams who could fight it out for his signature.
“Pep Guardiola is keen to sign a replacement for David Silva, who will depart the Etihad at the end of the current season.
“If a second club entered the bidding then that would allow Real to hold out for a higher fee, with a reported valuation of £60m.”
