The Premier League is on break until September 11, and more than a few Manchester City players are off to help their countries in World Cup qualifying. But the news never stops, so here are the headlines from Monday.
DIAS SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM DEAL - Neil Leigh - ManCity.com
Our young back-line stalwart has signed on for 6 more years. Neil Leigh recaps why City didn't hesitate to commit to Ruben.
The 24-year-old arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Benfica during last summer’s transfer window and made an instant impact with his defensive acumen, technical quality and winning mentality all proving key ingredients in a magnificent debut season for City.
He went on to make 50 appearances in all competitions, scoring once as Pep Guardiola’s side lifted both the Premier League title and retained the Carabao Cup as well as reaching a first-ever Champions League final.
Dias’ individual importance was also recognised with the Portuguese international winning the prestigious Football Writer’s Association Footballer of the Year award.
Ruben Dias Extended Until 2027 - Saul Garcia - Bitter and Blue
Saul Garcia reports that Dias will have a few more pounds in his pockets after a hefty pay raise.
A well deserved raise for a lynchpin of our club. He has played exceptional and has vaulted himself in to the conversation among the best center backs in the world.
This extension is noteworthy because he reportedly doubled his wages to be more in line with other elite defenders around the world. He still fits in our wage structure so it’s a real win-win.
His collective successes have raised his awards profile as well leading to numerous individual awards, including the FWA, Premier League and Etihad Player of the Season awards, as well as being named the UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season last week.
Ruben Dias Extended Until 2027 https://t.co/cDySHOqiLx
— Bitter and Blue (@BitterandBlue1) August 30, 2021
Ruben Dias signs new Man City contract extension - Joe Bray - Manchester Evening News
Joe Bray reminds us that our Portuguese center back was recently voted Europe’s top defender of the season.
Dias quickly became a key figure in City’s side, improving their defence instantly and helping them to a brilliant Premier League title win and a first ever Champions League final appearance.
The Portuguese made 50 appearances for City last season, while also winning the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year Award, Premier League Player of the Season and recently the UEFA Defender of the Season for 2020/21.
That form has been enough to earn an improved deal that will keep him at the club until 2027. He joins Jack Grealish in City’s squad as a player contracted for the next six years.
Bernardo Silva’s Man City Future Now Holds ‘Strong Probability’ Ahead of Transfer Deadline - HARRYASIDDALL - City Xtra
It looks like Berny is here for one more year. A bit of a deadline addition given that many were already saying their goodbyes.
Months and months of speculation has been rife about where’s next for the Portuguese international, after Pep Guardiola confirmed in his press conference that Silva, amongst three or four others, had asked to leave the club.
Silva is thought to have preferred a move to Spain, with Atletico Madrid seen as the most likely destination.
However, as Fabrizio Romano exclusively told our YouTube channel about a month ago, a deal depends on if Atletico could facilitate the sale of Saul Niguez.
Kevin De Bruyne’s six years at Man City - Six of the best from the Belgian maestro - Dominic Farrell - Manchester Evening News
6 years of KDB! Farrell remembers that more than one expert scoffed at City signing the Belgian midfield magician back in 2015.
It might not be the sort of landmark you celebrate by sharing cake with friends but on the sixth anniversary of Kevin De Bruyne joining Manchester City from Wolfsburg there is plenty of humble pie to go around.
“THE £60M REJECT,” chortled one tabloid, in reference to De Bruyne ’s previously unsuccessful stab at life in the Premier League with Chelsea.
He returned as the Bundesliga Player of the Year, having become one of the most sought-after creators in Europe, but the Brains Trust on Soccer Saturday still thought they knew better.
“My goodness Jeff, the world has gone mad isn’t it. The amount of money they’re paying for this boy is absolutely bonkers,” a faux-worried Phil Thompson said.
“I don’t see £50milion for this player, I don’t see it at all. Honestly, Jeff, I thought it was lira,” quipped an aghast Paul Merson over the transfer fee.
As De Bruyne posted on Twitter today, those comments are not only six years ago - they are 11 trophies ago too.
And hopefully many more to come. #MCFC https://t.co/hCskwPFgau
— Manchester City News (@ManCityMEN) August 30, 2021
Man City Reveal Plans For Highly-Rated Midfielder Despite Interest From Numerous Clubs - HARRYASIDDALL - City Xtra
McAtee looks set to stick around and get a taste of big boy football.
That’ll not be the case for 18-year-old James McAtee, who Manchester City reportedly want to keep around the first team this season, according to MailSport.
It’s easy to see why the Blues rate McAtee so highly. Just a few days ago, the midfielder scored a hat-trick in Manchester City U23’s victory over local rivals Manchester United.
Guiding new Under 23’s boss Brian Barry-Murphy to a memorable victory, it’s clear McAtee has the quality to train with the very best the Manchester City first team has to offer.
Manchester City’s Kayky set for ‘immediate arrival’ and more transfer rumours - Steven Railston - Manchester Evening News
Probably 1 - 3 seasons away, but the pipeline is restocked with another South American striker. Quite the comp for Kayky as well.
The Blues announced in April that they had agreed a deal with Fluminense to sign the 18-year-old forward nicknamed the ‘next Neymar’ and the youngster signed a five-year contract with City who successfully fended off the competition for his signature.
Most youngsters City sign are immediately sent out on loan to play clubs in the City Football Group [CFG] network, but there’s a chance Kayky could be integrated into the club’s Under-23 squad which clinched the Premier League 2 title last campaign.
If the fresh details on Kayky are true, he could potentially feature for Brian Barry-Murphy’s City U23 side this term.
Reports: Manchester City set to honour three more club legends with statues at the Etihad Stadium - Colin Cranmer - City Report
And finally, after erecting gleaming tributes to club legends Vinny and El Mago, and with another in the works for Kun, the City brass are set to honor the past with three more from further back in our long history.
Club legends of the 1960 and 70s: Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee will join Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero in being immortalized outside City’s home ground.
Manchester City’s modern-day legends will be side by side to the legends of the club’s last trophy-laden ‘golden era’ during the 1960s and 1970s, with Colin Bell, Francis Lee, and Mike Summerbee joining Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero.
Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News revealed that the club and in particular club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak were keen to recognise and honour the legends of the past.
The revealing of the Vincent Kompany and David Silva statues before the Arsenal match on Saturday was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews despite some scepticism of leaks beforehand. The two players were delighted with the outcome of the iron-based figures which stand tall around the home of the ground in which they brought so much success.
#ManCity legends of the 1960 and 70s: Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee will join Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero in being immortalized outside the Etihad Stadium. Here's everything:
— City Report (@cityreport_) August 30, 2021
That’s it for now. Stop back tomorrow for more Sky Blue News!
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