Gossip
We’ll begin with and Express/Telegraph report suggesting the City are monitoring former Academy graduate Jadon Sancho’s situation at Borussia Dortmund.
It claims United feel they are in a good position to bring the teenager back to Manchester, but City have allegedly asked to be kept in the loop.
Express: City keeping tabs on Sancho
It reads: “According to the Telegraph, United bosses are hoping to take advantage of recent tensions between Sancho and Dortmund - even through the 19-year-old could cost up to £100million.
“However, Manchester City, who sold Sancho to the German outfit for £8m two years ago, have supposedly requested to be kept abreast of transfer negotiations.
“Pep Guardiola’s side are lurking in the shadows alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal as the trio are unlikely to reignite their interest.
“That leaves a four-horse race in which Solskjaer feels he is ahead of the pack.
“Sancho had a major falling out with the hierarchy at Dortmund after being made the scapegoat for the club’s 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.”
READ: City progress despite draw
Moving to Italy, where the Blues are again linked with a talented teen…
This is Futbol: City to battle for Atalanta youngster?
The report reads: “Manchester City have reportedly joined the race to sign Amad Diallo Traore. The 17-year-old winger who made his name in the Atalanta youth team last season is said to be attracting the interest of Juventus, but it seems they could now face competition from the Manchester club.
“Calciomercato claims Pep Guardiola’s are set to ‘challenge’ the Serie A champions complicating matters for the Turin based giants. Traore’s performances in the Italian youth championship have put the player on the map but it’s said City’s interest originates from his impressive performances against them in the UEFA youth league matches between themselves and Atalanta this season.
“Juventus’ sporting director Fabio Paratici is said to have already made contact with the La Dea chiefs and therefore the ball is in Manchester City’s court if they wish to progress their interest in the player to something of greater substance.”
Opinion
Daily Mail: Jesus the perfect foil for Aguero
“Now Aguero is likely to miss three weeks with a thigh injury, it is the 22-year-old’s turn to stake a claim.
“Not just for this season, but the campaigns ahead, because City will already be planning for life without Aguero, their greatest ever marksman. Jesus bristled at recent mischievous suggestions that he was offered to Bayern Munich and wants to remain in Manchester.
“Guardiola actually has Jesus down as one of the finest back-up strikers in world football. His general record in front of goal is superb, although he had not found the net in any of his last seven games.
“Shakhtar Donetsk are the sort of opposition Jesus does not particularly thrive against, the sort of squeezed low block that Aguero – watching on from the posh seats - would relish. The emphasis is on tiny movements, bouncing off markers to create the smallest space.
“Jesus would far rather grass to run in to and it does not feel coincidental that all five of his goals this term have come away from the Etihad Stadium.”
Love Sport Radio: Morrison backs Brazilian to shine
Former skipper impressed with Gab J: “Speaking to Love Sport Radio, former Manchester City captain Andy Morrison said he believes Jesus has the ability to become a true world beater.
‘I think he can be one of the best in the world, I really do. Look at his age - his all-round play has improved since he came in, and I think he’s got it all,
‘His work rate has improved. I don’t think he’s a scorer of great goals, he’s just scores a lot of goals. It doesn’t really matter how he gets them; tap ins, he’s an instinctive finisher, close range, he’s very sharp in the box. I can’t picture a goal where he’s stepped past a couple of players and banged one in the top corner the way Aguero does, but he gets goals.
‘He’s quick, he’s strong, and he’s very instinctive. Everything is there, and the run of games he has is a great opportunity.
‘What he does have is an unbelievable inner belief. He thinks he should be in the team, he thinks he’s the best striker in the league and that’s a testament to his character. Now it’s just up to him to prove that.’
Reaction
Independent: Off-colour Blues do enough
Andy Hampson reports: “Manchester City played out a tame 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk to claim their place in the Champions League knockout stage for a seventh consecutive season.
“Ilkay Gundogan‘s second-half strike was cancelled out by Manor Solomon as City failed to spark at the Etihad Stadium but, with Dinamo Zagreb losing to Atalanta, the result was enough to secure top spot in Group C.
“There was little else to excite amid a flat atmosphere but Shakhtar’s performance kept their hopes of joining City in the last 16 very much alive.
“As usual, City enjoyed a lot of possession, but they lacked their usual potency while Shakhtar were not cowed by their failure to make much of an impression in their previous games against their hosts.”
More City gossip and rumour tomorrow…
