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SCOTT CARSON TO START AS “GOALEE” FOR MANCITY AFTER EDERSON BAN

Scott Carson is set to make his second Premier League appearance in a decade, with Manchester City facing a goalkeeper crisis.

First-choice stopper Ederson is set to miss the champions’ clash with Leicester City on Saturday, after the Brazilian FA asked FIFA to enforce a five-day ban on players that did not appear during the latest batch of internationals.

Ederson along with teammate Gabriel Jesus were two of eight Premier League players to not travel to Brazil, after top-flight bosses unanimously decided to not release those which would need to travel to red-list countries.

Had the 28-year-old turned out for the Selecao, he would have had to quarantine for 10 days upon his return to Manchester, as per the current government guidelines.

Instead, City decided not to release him, but now Brazilian chiefs have told FIFA to enforce the restrictions between September 10 and 14.

City are expected to appeal the ban, but there is a chance he will miss the game at the King Power Stadium.

USA international Zack Steffen is Ederson’s backup , but he is also absent after testing positive for Covid-19 whilst on international duty.

The American had already been suffering with back spasms, but the positive test will definitely see him miss the clash with the Foxes.

That leaves 36-year-old Carson as Pep Guardiola’s most senior option, with youngsters Josh McNamara and Mikki van Sas fighting for a place in the squad.

Carson has played just one Premier League game since leaving West Brom in 2011, turning out for City in the closing months of last season.

Initially signed on loan from the Rams, Carson was announced as a permanent City player during the summer window, signing a one-year contract at the Etihad.

Speaking about his decision to start Carson against the Magpies, Guardiola opened up on the huge influence the veteran keeper has within the City dressing room.

He said: “Maybe people don’t know it but he’s a real leader for us.

“He says straight away what he believes, he has a lot of experience, he has been in incredible locker rooms with big teams.

“He is an incredible person and we are delighted – not just me but Eddy (Ederson) and Zack (Steffen) and the players that today he could play.”

In more positive news for Guardiola and City, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne are both set to return to the squad after missing time in the early portion of the season.

Foden has been out since the Euro 2020 semi final, while De Bruyne missed the 5-0 win over Arsenal before the international break.

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Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain to battle for Theo Hernandez

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly identified AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez as a future transfer target.

The two European giants are regarded among the favourites for this season’s Champions League after a productive summer window.

However, the left-hand side of defence has sometimes been an issue for both clubs, something which PSG have attempted to rectify with the addition of Sporting Lisbon’s Nuno Mendes.

According to Calciomercato, that signing may not stop PSG joining Man City in the race to sign Hernandez in 2022 or 2023.

The Frenchman has enjoyed a hugely impressive two years at San Siro, contributing 13 goals from 67 starts in Serie A.

Despite Hernandez possessing a contract until 2024, Milan may be tempted into a sale if they can make a significant profit on the €20m (£17.18m) which they shelled out in 2019.

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Cristiano Ronaldo in line to train with Manchester United on Thursday

Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly train with his new Manchester United teammates on Thursday ahead of making his second debut for the club against Newcastle United on September 11.

The 36-year-old became the all-time highest international men’s goalscorer on Wednesday night when he scored his 110th and 111th goals for Portugal in their 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland, but a booking in the latter stages of the contest means that he is suspended for the clash with Azerbaijan, which saw him released from international duty early.

Ronaldo flew into Manchester Airport on Thursday evening but was immediately forced to isolate for five days in line with government regulations.

Providing that Ronaldo returns two negative coronavirus tests then he will be able to link up with his new teammates next week, and according to journalist Tom McDermott, the former Sporting Lisbon youngster will begin training at Carrington on Thursday.

McDermott has also claimed, via Twitter, that the former Juventus attacker will be in the starting XI for Man United’s clash with Newcastle on September 11.

The Portuguese, who will again wear the number seven shirt for the Red Devils, has penned a two-year deal at Old Trafford, returning to the club that he previously represented between 2003 and 2009.

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Manchester City set to quadruple Phil Foden’s wages

Manchester City are reportedly prepared to offer Phil Foden a new deal which would see him almost quadruple his wages at the Etihad.

The 21-year-old burst onto the scene under Pep Guardiola and starred in the 2020-21 season, banking 16 goals and 10 assists from 50 appearances across all competitions.

Foden’s deal with the Premier League champions is not due to expire until the summer of 2024, but City supposedly want to reward the youngster’s stellar performances with a bumper new contract.

According to the Daily Star, Foden currently pockets a modest £40k per week in Manchester, but Guardiola’s side are keen to up his wages to £150k per week following his rapid rise.

The report adds that City are aiming to tie the England international down for the next six years, which would see him follow Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, John Stones and Ruben Dias in signing new long-term deals.

Foden – who is yet to make an appearance this season due to a foot injury – already has 124 appearances for Man City under his belt, with 31 goals and 22 assists to boot.

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MAN CITY’S BENJAMIN MENDY DENIED BAIL AHEAD RAPE TRIAL

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy was refused bail Wednesday and will remain in custody ahead of a trial scheduled to start on Sept. 10 after being charged with four counts of rape and one sexual assault.

The 27-year-old Mendy has been in custody at a prison in Liverpool, northwest England, since last Friday, when he appeared in court and faced the charges.

A second bail application was made in a closed hearing that lasted about 50 minutes, and it was turned down.

The France international did not attend the hearing. Mendy is charged with attacks on three different women, including one under 18, at his home.

Three of the rapes are alleged to have taken place in October 2020 and he is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in early January this year.

He is also charged with raping a woman last month.

Mendy has been suspended by the club, pending an investigation.

A second man, aged 40, was arrested on suspicion of rape as part of the police investigation into the allegations but was released on bail, police said.

Mendy joined City from Monaco in 2017 and has won the Premier League three times and the English League Cup twice.

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Manchester City rout Arsenal ; Liverpool-Chelsea draw

The 5-0 loss means Arsenal is without a point, or even a goal, from its three matches so far this season.

Manchester City didn’t need Harry Kane or Cristiano Ronaldo to destroy Arsenal.

With four different scorers in the 5-0 win on Saturday, maybe the attacking options currently available to Pep Guardiola are enough to defend the Premier League title.

Or perhaps it’s just a sign of Arsenal’s frailties that City so easily dismantled a side that has now lost all three league games without scoring. And the fact City played against 10 men for 55 minutes after Granit Xhaka was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Joao Cancelo.

“That is why we did not need to buy a striker,” Guardiola said. “We tried but it was not possible. It is a fantastic squad. I have to say thank you for the players they have given me.”

It was a great end to a week where City had to give up on its attempt to bring Tottenham striker Harry Kane to the Etihad Stadium and thought it could sign Cristiano Ronaldo before Manchester United stepped in.

Having lost its opening game to Tottenham, City was already playing catch-up. But while City moved onto six points, four of the teams with perfect starts dropped points in their third games on Saturday.

Title contenders Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield. West Ham was held 2-2 by Crystal Palace and Brighton lost 2-0 to Everton. Only Tottenham is still in the running for a third consecutive win when Kane leads the London club into Sunday’s game against Watford.

It’s not only Arsenal on zero points after three games. Norwich, which lost 2-1 to Leicester after conceding goals from Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton, is yet to get off the mark. Newcastle picked up its first point in a 2-2 draw against Southampton. Brentford is on five points in its first-ever Premier League season after drawing 1-1 at Aston Villa, with Ivan Toney’s goal wiped out by Emi Buendia’s first since joining the hosts in the offseason.

Kai Havertz’s header was canceled out by Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah’s penalty after Reece James was sent off for handling. Liverpool’s attack lacked a cutting edge _ even with a man advantage _ as Chelsea’s defense marshalled by Andreas Christensen proved too robust to break down.

“He started in the central position and finished the game in the right position, because we decided to bring on Thiago (Silva) and stay with the back five,” Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said. “Andreas is very strong, he’s super talented. … I think he feels the trust, he knows what to do, he can absolutely help, he’s a top defender and a top guy. I have the feeling he’s growing every week in confidence and personality.”

WEST HAM HELD

West Ham twice threw away the lead secured by Pablo Fornals and then Michail Antonio, with Conor Gallagher equalizing both times for Palace. But Patrick Vieira is still waiting for his first win in charge of Palace, which has two points.

PENALTY SPAT

Everton was already leading through Demarai Gray’s first-half strike when it won a penalty after the break at Brighton. Richarlison grabbed the ball after Seamus Coleman was taken down in the box by Joel Veltman. Everton’s designated penalty-taker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, had to convince Richarlison to hand the ball back so he could score from the spot.

COMEBACK

After Callum Wilson’s opener for Newcastle was canceled out by Mohamed Elyounoussi, the St. James’ Park hosts looked set again for a first win of the season when Allan Saint-Maximin netted in the 90th minute. But Jamaal Lascelles’ challenge on Stuart Armstrong allowed James Ward-Prowse to level for Southampton from a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

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Cristiano Ronaldo arrival could see Raheem Sterling leave Manchester City

Cristiano Ronaldo’s proposed move to Manchester City could see Raheem Sterling leave the Etihad Stadium, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Portugal international is believed to be closing in on a move to the Citizens, although the Premier League champions are yet to agree a transfer fee with Juventus.

According to Romano, Man City will need to balance the books if Ronaldo arrives, and Sterling could potentially leave the club ‘if the right bid is made’ before the end of the transfer window.

The England international, who has less than two years left to run on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, has scored 115 goals and registered 87 assists in 294 appearances for the Citizens in all competitions.

Sterling was again an important player for the club last term, contributing 14 goals and 12 assists in 49 outings, but he struggled to show his best form for periods of the campaign.

The 26-year-old, who is believed to have rejected the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer, came off the bench to score in Man City’s 5-0 win over Norwich City last weekend

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Manchester City ‘must pay at least £24m for Cristiano Ronaldo

Soccer Football - Italy - Serie A - Udinese v Juventus - Dacia Arena, Udine, Italy - August 22, 2021 Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal that is later disallowed after a VAR review REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

Juventus have reportedly made it clear to Manchester City that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be allowed to leave Turin this summer unless the Old Lady receive a transfer fee in the region of €28m (£24m).

The Citizens have already allegedly agreed personal terms with Ronaldo, who is also believed to have spoken with the English club’s head coach Pep Guardiola on Thursday morning.

The former Manchester United attacker, who has less than one year left on his contract in Turin, is said to be determined to force a move to the Premier League champions.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is working to complete the deal, but Juventus want a transfer fee of €28m (£24m) for the Portugal international.

Romano claims that Man City will decide ‘soon’ whether to submit the offer, as Guardiola’s side were hopeful of being able to sign the former Sporting Lisbon youngster on a free transfer.

The Citizens have switched their attention to Ronaldo after missing out on a deal for Harry Kane, who will remain Tottenham Hotspur beyond the end of the summer transfer window.

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Manchester City have not ruled out signing Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester City have supposedly not ruled out the prospect of signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus in the coming days.

Despite Juve chiefs’ insistence that Ronaldo is going nowhere this summer, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still being heavily linked with an exit after entering the final 12 months of his Turin deal.

With Harry Kane confirming that he is set to stay at Tottenham Hotspur for the 2021-22 season, City have been tipped to turn their attention to Ronaldo, who is supposedly prepared to push for a move to the Etihad.

While Pep Guardiola is thought to retain faith in current number nine Gabriel Jesus, ESPN claims that the Premier League champions have not ruled out the idea of welcoming Ronaldo to the blue side of Manchester.

However, the report adds that the 36-year-old’s mammoth wages could scupper a move, while Juve are thought to be demanding a fee of €30m (£25.7m) for his sale, whereas City do not want to dip into their war chest.

Ronaldo started on the bench during Juventus’ Serie A opener with Udinese last weekend, although both Pavel Nedved and Massimiliano Allegri played down the decision as a mutually agreed tactical one

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Gabriel Jesus set to remain at Manchester City this summer

Manchester City attacker Gabriel Jesus has reportedly done enough in the early stages of the 2021-22 season to convince head coach Pep Guardiola to keep him at the club this summer.

The Brazil international was strongly linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium earlier in the transfer window, with Juventus believed to be the favourites to sign him.

However, talk of a switch to Turin has cooled in recent weeks, and according to Eurosport, Jesus is no longer available for transfer, even if Harry Kane arrives from Tottenham Hotspur.

The report claims that Guardiola views the South American as an option in the wide areas, and the Man City boss wants to keep hold of him for the current season.

The 24-year-old has scored 82 goals and registered 36 assists in 197 appearances for the Citizens since arriving from Palmeiras in 2017.

Guardiola lavished praise on Jesus for his performance in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Norwich City, which saw the English champions pick up their first points of the season