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
BERLIN: German champions Bayern Munich have not yet made an offer for Manchester City winger Leroy Sane despite their long-standing desire to sign him, club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Wednesday.
Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Sane: Rummenigge
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
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has urged his fellow Paris Saint-Germain teammates to show "a spirit of sacrifice for the team" with Edison Cavani and Neymar out for the match against Manchester United.
Buffon: PSG and Man Utd are equal as Champions League tie
Liverpool Back On Top With Newcastle Win But Lose Salah Liverpool's Premier League title challenge remains alive after Divock Origi scored an 86th-minute winner in a dramatic 3-2 victory at
Liverpool returns to Premier League top as Salah injured
Football News -LONDON (AFP) - Willian insisted he had no intention of leaving Chelsea after his superb goal sealed a 2-1 win at home to Newcastle on Saturday (Jan 12).. Willian eager to stay
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours - Pulse
A lawyer for FIFA council member Mahfuza Akhter Kiron is set to file a petition in a Bangladesh court on Tuesday seeking bail for the official who has been arrested in a defamation case following her criticism of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Mahfuza courted trouble after her remarks in a news
Bangladesh FIFA official arrested for 'defaming' PM Hasina
The new era will require a deep understanding of learning. No one in the organization is better poised than L&D to deliver. The race will soon be on. L&D can (and should) seize this opportunity to become central to organizational success. There is no room for complacency in L&D.
COMPLACENCY | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary
A look at the biggest talking points ahead of the first weekend of Premier League football this season, including Louis van Gaal's first match in charge of Manchester United and Jose Mourinho new
5 talking points ahead of the final weekend of the Premier
Solid and smart Bayern hold Liverpool at Anfield 01:23 A resolute Bayern Munich defence limited Liverpool to few chances at Anfield in their Champions League tie, much to the satisfaction of manager Robert Kovac.
Football: Mourinho rejects offers, reveals fragile ego at United. Jan 21, 2019, 5:00 am. Football: Snowflakes? Mourinho reveals fragile ego of mystery Man United star. Jan 20, 2019, 3:47 am.
Snowflakes? Mourinho reveals fragile ego of mystery Man
Wigan 0 Everton 1: Tim Cahill heads late winner as Toffees extend splendid run. 'In Germany when I win, after the game I am half p****d, but I didn't even get a water!':
West Ham 0-2 Everton RESULT - Toffees win at London Stadium
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen