LONDON • While Pep Guardiola was left purring with delight at his side's "desire to play good and always improve" as Manchester City romped to a 5-0 hammering of Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup, he also had a tinge of regret.
Not at his side's display at the Etihad on Saturday as the Premier League champions remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple, but rather at being beaten to the punch by Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong's signature.
The 21-year-old Dutch international, arguably the hottest midfield prospect around, agreed to join the Spanish champions from Ajax in the summer for a fee of €75 million (S$115.8 million) on Wednesday.
However, de Jong, who also turned down Paris Saint-Germain, had been in discussions with City regarding a potential move, telling Dutch broadcaster NOS over the weekend that he "spoke with Guardiola".
Having missed out on his services, the Spaniard felt the club had to be "quicker and smarter" in the transfer market if they were to land targets in the future.
Urging City's Abu Dhabi owners to try and sign players earlier in their careers so that they are more affordable, he said: "The transfer market, the salaries, increase a lot. After Neymar went to PSG (for €222 million), prices have increased to incredible levels.
"We have to adapt. It's difficult to buy top, top players at a good price.
SKY-HIGH PRICES
The transfer market, the salaries, increase a lot. After Neymar went to PSG (for €222 million), prices have increased to incredible levels. We have to adapt.
PEP GUARDIOLA , Manchester City manager, urging City's Abu Dhabi owners to try and sign players earlier in their careers so that they are more affordable.
"It's almost impossible. Maybe we have to trust in the young players (in the academy) and help them develop their own personality here.
"I said many times, Barcelona and (Real) Madrid, it's impossible to fight against them, for the prestige, the incredible league, the incredible clubs they are.
"The players have to take their own decisions. When they don't want to come, it's because they want another place. There are other options, but we are going to try if we believe we need players in that position."
He was also adamant that having the correct pay structure was vital to maintaining team spirit.
The 48-year-old, who splashed out a club-record fee of £60 million (S$107.1 million) for Riyad Mahrez last summer, added: "We try to keep the harmony in the locker room with the wages. When you have no balance with that, then there is always a problem with the mood in the locker room.
"One of the good things that City have done is keeping that balance.
"The reality is that it's not just one or two teams paying a lot on wages. There are many and sometimes, we can't compete with that. At the end of the day, we want players who want to come here."
THE GUARDIAN
Apr 29, 2019 · Barcelona take on Liverpool at the Nou Camp in the Champions League semifinal first leg. Here are five things you need to know about the match.
3 things to know after Liverpool's incredible Champions
Feb 9 (Reuters) - Substitute Andre Gray scored a second-half winner as Watford beat Marco Silva's Everton 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday to heap the pressure on their former manager
Soccer-Watford's Gray strikes to sink Everton, pile pressure
Returning Ozil has Arsenal future says Emery getty, Shaun Botterill Mesut Ozil will return to the Arsenal squad for Saturday's Premier League visit of Burnley, with manager Unai Emery saying he believes the midfielder has a future at the Emirates Stadium.
Premier League: Returning Mesut Ozil has Arsenal future says
Play at 'world-class' level, Poch tells Spurs
ROME (AFP) - Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic hailed his team for pulling off a "miracle" to secure their top flight survival with a 3-3 draw at Lazio on Monday (May 20) enough to keep the northerners in Serie A next season.
Bologna earn 'miracle' Serie A survival in six-goal Lazio
TURIN (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo will spearhead Juventus' old guard as they look to finish the job on Tuesday (April 16) against Ajax's impressive young guns in a quarter-final clash between two sides desperate to end years of Champions League heartbreak.
Juve's old guard bidding to finish off Ajax kids - Daily Nation
Home snap Albirex's title-winning streak The long trophy streak has, at long last, been broken. After hoovering up all 11 trophies on offer in the previous three seasons, Albirex Niigata finally tasted defeat when Home United triumphed 5-4 on penalties to lift the Community Shield last night as the new Singapore Premier League (SPL) season
Derby boss Frank Lampard hits back at Leeds fans with Spygate
sportslifetale.com/soccer/derby-boss-frank-lampard-hits-back-at-leeds-fans-with-spygate-dig-after-play-off-triumph/
Following their first-leg win at Pride Park, Leeds fans mocked Lampard over the spying scandal with a chant to Oasis' 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' which sang: "All of the spies are hidden away, just try not to worry, you'll beat us some day. We beat you at home, we beat you away, stop crying Frank Lampard."
Albirex Niigata vs. Home United - Football Match Report
Furious Messi says son asks why Argentines criticize him An uncharacteristically angry Lionel Messi revealed on Friday how he struggles to deal with criticism of his performances for Argentina
Angry Messi says son questions why Argentines criticise him
adtest.supersport.com/football/argentina/news/190329/Angry_Messi_says_son_questions_why_Argentines_criticise_him
An uncharacteristically angry Lionel Messi revealed on Friday how he struggles to deal with criticism of his performances for Argentina's national team, saying that even his six-year-old son was questioning why he was judged so harshly in his country.
Angry Messi says son questions why Argentines criticize him
Jun 01, 2019 · Since the moment Lucas Moura sent Tottenham Hotspur through, the idea of Harry Kane returning from his latest ankle ligament injury to start Saturday's UEFA Champions League final against
Champions League final result: Liverpool lift sixth European
Spalletti leaves Inter Milan with Conte set to take over Luciano Spalletti has left Inter Milan, the Serie A club announced on Thursday, with former Italy manager Antonio Conte set to be announced
Football: Spalletti leaves Inter Milan despite securing
Fabio Quagliarella became Italy's oldest goalscorer as his double helped Roberto Mancini's rejuvenated side thrash 10-man Liechtenstein 6-0 in their second Euro 2020 qualifier on Tuesday. Quagliarella, 36, netted two first-half penalties, while 19-year-old Moise Kean scored his second goal in his third appearance. Stefano Sensi, Marco
Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy thrash Liechtenstein
Jun 05, 2019 · We pick ten extremely talented players who are aiming to have their international breakthrough in France this summer. Skip to main content. 10 young players to watch at the Women's World Cup
The players to watch during the World Cup in France | Sports
sports-life-news.com/soccer/the-players-to-watch-during-the-world-cup-in-france/
When compiling a list of the best players competing at the World Cup over the next four weeks, you must first acknowledge that one of the finest players, if not the finest, in the world will skip the tournament.
Women's World Cup 2019: Five players to watch in France
I'm interested in getting a new turtle for my office. I'm considering a mata mata or a alligator snapping turtle. I know both species are fully aquatic, but still come out of the water occasionally. My office tank is a custom tank that's 36 inches high.
What do adders look like and can they kill? The only venomous
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 09, 2019, with the headline 'Ozil courts controversy again'.
Chaser Courts Controversy Again - YouTube
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen