🎧 Ten years of Pep - Guardiola's Man City storypublished at 15:27 BST 8 July
15:27 BST 8 July
Exactly 10 years on from his appointment as manager at Etihad Stadium, BBC Radio Manchester's Mark Crossley has the story of Pep Guardiola's incredible decade in charge.
Crossley said on Guardiola: "It's been a decade of dominance for Manchester City and what a ride it's been.
"The trophies may gather dust, but the memories won't. For 10 years, Manchester City belonged to Pep Guardiola. A trailblazer, a history-maker, a record-breaker. His era will never be forgotten."
Crossley follows Guardiola's journey in charge from his first appointment on 8 July 2016 to his departure from the club on 24 May 24 2026.
Solving defensive frailtiespublished at 11:46 BST 8 July
11:46 BST 8 July
Image source, Getty Images
In the second part of Wednesday's special Q&A, Manchester City reporter Shamoon Hafez focuses on defensive frailties and what Enzo Maresca may look at doing to make them more solid for the 2026-27 season.
Jeff asked:City have three defenders playing well for England - Marc Guehi, John Stones and Nico O'Reilly - yet, last season our defence always seemed vulnerable. Why is that and will Maresca sort them out when perhaps Pep Guardiola didn't?
Shamoon: City's defence may have seemed vulnerable but they did end the season by conceding the second-fewest number of goals in the Premier League - 35 in 38 games. However, this was eight more than the Arsenal side that won the title.
Guardiola settled on Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov after January and the pair formed a good understanding whereby the Englishman, for most parts, was the calming presence and the Uzbek went in fully committed to every tackle he made.
Maresca will have the option of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, plus Vitor Reis has returned from his loan at Girona. However, Nathan Ake has been sold to Fenerbahce and John Stones' contract was not renewed, so could he dip into the market to bring in another experienced centre-back?
Come back to this page later on Wednesday for the final part of the Q&A, which will look at who might be in Maresca's starting XI and what overall changes - if any - City's new boss could make.
Goalkeeping options and Rodri's futurepublished at 07:02 BST 8 July
07:02 BST 8 July
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you to send in your questions for BBC Sport's Manchester City reporter Shamoon Hafez. In the first part of a special Q&A, he focuses on who will be first-choice goalkeeper in 2026-27 and if Rodri could leave this summer.
Dave asked: Should City keep James Trafford and sell Gianluigi Donnarumma?
Shamoon: Who will be number-one goalkeeper is one of the key questions facing Enzo Maresca.
We know the Italian likes his keeper to be good with the ball at his feet and Trafford is seemingly better than Donnarumma in that regard.
Trafford did not put a foot wrong when he was called upon last season, playing a starring role in winning both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup at Wembley.
But Donnarumma is the captain of Italy, a compatriot of Maresca's and one who made some crucial saves in the Premier League and Champions League last season.
You would feel the manager would not make a dramatic decision like changing his starting goalkeeper - plus, if City were to try to sell Donnarumma, which of the top clubs around Europe need a new keeper and who would be able to afford not only his transfer fee but his wages too?
Mike asked: With Pep Guardiola leaving and the arrival of Elliot Anderson for a record fee, if Real Madrid made a move to sign Rodri this summer, might City be tempted to sell?
Shamoon: We saw last season how different City were when Rodri played to when he didn't play. The Spain skipper offers protection and a footballing nous like no other player is able to.
Rodri missed the game at Everton towards the end of last season, when City took the lead but then lost total control and ended up drawing 3-3. It was a result that handed the title to Arsenal. If Rodri played in that game and put his foot on the ball to calm things down, could it have been a different outcome?
He continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid and is now entering the final year of his contract. Reports say a new deal is on the table but he is yet to sign it.
The 29-year-old has said he will sort out his future after the World Cup and club sources have told me they are counting on him for next season.
Keep across this page on Wednesday for parts two and three of the Q&A, which will look at subjects including City's defence and Maresca's starting XI.
Free agents and who to avoidpublished at 13:49 BST 7 July
13:49 BST 7 July
We asked for your views on which free agents Manchester City could target this summer and whether there is one player City are linked with but you hope they never sign.
Here are some of your comments:
Freddie: Not Salah from free transfers. We wouldn't take him, he wouldn't take us. Same with Sancho I think. More likely with Vlahovic but we don't need him, especially with Erling and Omar up top already.
Harry: On a free I'd love Julian Brandt, an absolutely fantastic bench option and could probably be acquired without silly high wages. As for players we're constantly linked with that I don't want - Enzo Fernandez, horrible attitude, massive primadonna. Also Gusto, but more due to not wanting to pay £75m for a bench option.
Matthew: For the first question, I do not think that there are any free agents who could be of value to City right now. To answer the second question, lately I have been seeing things suggesting Maresca might want to sign Malo Gusto. I don't think he would improve the quality of our current squad.
Jonathan: Enzo Fernandez and Gusto from Chelsea - not City's kind of players on multiple levels. Please no Enzo.
Will Haaland edge Pickford again?published at 13:40 BST 6 July
13:40 BST 6 July
Image source, Getty Images
When England take on Norway on Saturday night with a place in a World Cup semi-final up for grabs, Thomas Tuchel's side will somehow have to tame Erling Haaland.
The Manchester City striker has scored in each of his last 14 competitive outings for Norway (27 goals in total during this period), finding the back of the net in all four of his appearances at the FIFA World Cup so far. The last player to score in each of his first five games at the tournament was Columbia's James Rodríguez in 2014, while the last European player to do so was Germany's Gerd Müller in 1970.
Fortunately for the Three Lions, they have an in-form Jordan Pickford to call upon. The Everton stopper will overtake Peter Shilton to become England's outright all-time leading appearance maker at the World Cup (currently level with 17 games each) in Saturday's fixture.
Pickford however tends to run into one or two issues when up against Haaland. He has conceded seven of the 10 shots on target that Haaland has had against him in the Premier League, with the Norwegian only netting more goals in the competition against José Sá (10), Alphonse Areola (9) and Bernd Leno (8).
So far, Haaland has four match-winning goals in the tournament, with only Poland's Grzegorz Lato in 1974 and Italy's Salvatore Schillaci in 1990 managing more in a single campaign in the competition's history (both five).
You're the scout! Which World Cup players do you want at your club?published at 12:32 BST 6 July
12:32 BST 6 July
Image source, Getty Images
We're now well into the knockout rounds of the biggest World Cup ever and we want to know who has grabbed your attention - especially with the summer transfer window open since 15 June.
Which player has raised your eyebrows? Who has exceeded your expectations? Has there been a player you had no knowledge of consistently impress you?
Ultimately, who would you realistically like to see lining up for your team in the Premier League next season?
This is your opportunity to show off your talent-spotting skills - the floor (pitch) is yours...
And there's more - the BBC has launched live match updates so you can see the score directly on your lock screen through the full 90 minutes and beyond.
This means you can keep track of every game wherever you are - whether you're on the move, at work, or away from a TV. With live match updates on your lock screen, the score is always just a glance away.
This feature will also extend into the 2026-27 Premier League season, so you're never out of the loop.
Haaland double sends Norway into quarter-finalspublished at 08:21 BST 6 July
08:21 BST 6 July
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway knocked out five-time champions Brazil and progressed to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first ever time.
They will face England in Miami on Saturday (22:00 BST).
Haaland has now scored in each of his last 14 competitive international matches for Norway, netting 27 goals across this run. He last failed to score in a competitive match for his nation in October 2024 (v Austria in the Nations League).
Anderson - what will Forest lose and Man City gain?published at 14:53 BST 3 July
14:53 BST 3 July
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Transfer fees often reflect potential as much as proven quality. In Elliot Anderson's case, Manchester City appear to believe they have bought both.
At 23, Anderson will arrive at Etihad Stadium as their record signing - beating the £100m City paid for Jack Grealish - having enjoyed a remarkable campaign for Nottingham Forest in which he quietly established himself as one of the Premier League's most complete central midfielders.
While Forest finished 16th, Anderson's influence on their performances was extraordinary.
No player in the Premier League recorded more touches than Anderson's 3,300 during the 2025-26 campaign.
He also led the division for duels won (298), possessions won (306) and fouls won (80), underlining just how frequently he involved himself at both ends of the pitch.
Those numbers paint the picture of a midfielder who is constantly in the game. He demands possession, regains it more often than anyone else and rarely allows the intensity of his performance to drop.
His quality on the ball is equally striking. Among Premier League central midfielders, Anderson completed more passes (2,038) than anyone else and also led the position with 376 line-breaking passes.
Rather than simply recycling possession, he consistently looked to eliminate opponents by playing through defensive lines and advancing Forest up the pitch. That blend of security and ambition is rare.
The physical data is every bit as impressive. Anderson covered 411km across the Premier League season, second only to Everton's James Garner, while his 1,895 high-intensity pressures ranked second among midfielders.
Hit play below to hear Forest podcaster Max Hayes speaking to BBC Radio Manchester's Mark Crossley and Emily Brobyn about Anderson's move to Etihad Stadium, or listen on BBC Sounds here
Strong Man City contingent still in World Cup contentionpublished at 10:55 BST 3 July
10:55 BST 3 July
Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City have had more players at this summer's World Cup than any other Premier League team, with 16 taking part in the tournament in North America.
That list does not include Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who have now left the club following the expiry of their contracts.
Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly both started England's first knockout round victory over DR Congo and should feature against Mexico in the last 16, while goalkeeper James Trafford is expected to be on the bench again.
Erling Haaland also progressed to the same round with Norway to set up a tasty tie against five-winners Brazil and the striker is vying for the Golden Boot having already scored five goals in just three appearances.
Winger Jeremy Doku helped Belgium come from 2-0 behind to beat Senegal 3-2 in an all-time classic World Cup knockout tie and they face co-hosts United States in the next round on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, forward Rayan Cherki has found minutes hard to come by for scintillating France, who face Paraguay in the last 16 on Saturday.
Rodri captained Spain in Thursday's win over Austria, Ruben Dias and Matheus Nunes got the better of Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic's as Portugal narrowly beat Croatia in the early hours of Friday,while later on, Omar Marmoush should be in action for Egypt against Australia.
Ghana star Antoine Semenyo will be hoping to lead his side into the next round when they face Colombia on Saturday.
Just one of that contingent suffered a group-stage exit, with Abdukhodir Khusanov and Uzbekistan finishing bottom of the standings without a point in their first appearance at a World Cup.
And Netherlands duo Tijjani Reijnders and Nathan Ake also went home following their last-32 defeat on penalties by Morocco.
Gvardiol goal ruled out as Portugal knock out Croatiapublished at 08:34 BST 3 July
08:34 BST 3 July
Media caption,
Portugal secured their place in the last 16 of the World Cup after beating Croatia 2-1 in Toronto.
Josko Gvardiol's very late equalising goal was ruled out for offside by VAR, as he and Mateo Kovacic were sent home by Ruben Dias and Matheus Nunes' Portugal.
Charles played 21 times for Wednesday in a season disrupted by a shoulder injury, as financial issues led to the Hillsborough side being relegated to League One.
The 20-year-old Northern Ireland international came through the academy at City before joining Wednesday, where he first signed professional terms in 2022.
Sources have told BBC Sport a deal is progressing but has not yet been completed.
It is not yet known whether Charles will join City's first team or be sent out on loan.
If he is integrated into the senior set-up, it may cast doubt on the future of England international James Trafford, who rejoined the club last summer but was second choice to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Recent reports say free-spending Tottenham are interested in signing Trafford.
Monga, 16, is attracting major interest from a number of Premier League clubs this summer, including from Arsenal and Brentford.
The Gunners are the most advanced in their interest, but City - who are long-term admirers of Monga - are understood to have made enquiries towards a potential move in recent days.
Monga - who turns 17 this month - agreed to a one-year scholarship contract which is set to turn into a professional contract 10 July.
That means interested parties will be required to pay a transfer fee for the teenager, wiith reports indicating Leicester want a minimum of £10m.
Monga, who has made 37 appearances for the Foxes, is the third-youngest player to feature in a Premier League match, behind Arsenal duo Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri.
The club has now said: "Manchester City and Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement for the transfer of Elliot Anderson.
"Anderson, 23, is currently competing at the FIFA World Cup with England and has completed a medical in Kansas. The formalities of the move will be finalised upon his return to England.
"In the meantime, everyone at Manchester City wishes Elliot and the England squad the very best of luck in their World Cup campaign and we look forward to welcoming him to Manchester in due course."
Your World Cup scouting: Moroccan midfielders and French forwardspublished at 09:05 BST 2 July
09:05 BST 2 July
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Manchester City.
Here are some of your comments:
Samuel: I think most fans would say Ayyoub Bouaddi. A lot of people didn't know him before the World Cup, but now they definitely do. He's composed, silky and elegant, at only 18 years old. I think after City hopefully complete the Anderson signing, we should attempt to sign Bouaddi as the high potential player that could replace Rodri if he does not renew his contract. Unfortunately, sell a player like Reijnders who hasn't really adapted to the Premier League like a lot of City fans would have hoped.
Agastya: Would love Achraf Hakimi. Brilliant at defending, great at overlapping and giving crosses. The best right back in the world. It would of course be difficult to get him from PSG, but if we do, what a signing that would be!
Kevin: Bouddadi from Morocco would be brilliant as a defensive midfield replacement for Rodri next year when he goes to Madrid.
Steve: The player I think would be a great fit for City is Michael Olise. It's looking like Savinho will be moved on this summer, so who better to replace him? With Olise and Doku attacking from the flanks, and Haaland in the centre, what a potent strike force that would be. Also, like Semenyo he can attack from the midfield, so there's no reason why they could not play together, and interchange during a game, and the onus would not always be on Haaland to score.
Isaac: I think Elijah Just would be an exciting back-up winger for City. Yes, we already have many wingers, but with the probable sale of Savinho, Just would be a technically gifted option.
Andrew: Mohamed Hany of Egypt looked a very capable right back in both matches he has played.
Haaland heroics continue - how many international goals can he score?published at 09:29 BST 1 July
09:29 BST 1 July
Emma Smith BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Erling Haaland has scored in each of his last 13 competitive internationals for Norway, scoring 25 goals in this run.
Erling Haaland stood on the pitch in Dallas, a goofy grin across his face and a Viking helmet atop his head at a jaunty angle. He was drinking it all in.
Norway had just beaten Ivory Coast 2-1, their first knockout victory in World Cup history. It was celebrated by players and fans joining together in their now iconic Viking Row celebration - conducted by Martin Odegaard on the drum.
Haaland has now scored 60 goals in 53 senior internationals - averaging a goal every 72 minutes - but the first 55 had not come in a major tournament with Norway having previously failed to qualify for any during his lifetime.
But, at the 2026 World Cup, Haaland has delivered on the big stage with five goals in three appearances - only Lionel Messi has more in North America - and based on his huge smile on the pitch in Dallas and his light-hearted social media misadventures off it, it is a stage on which he is thriving.
"Norway are a very good team, and purely because of that man," said former England captain turned BBC pundit Wayne Rooney. "Because of his goals, he has proven that he belongs at this World Cup level.
"He is just devastating. He wasn't in the game much, but he came up with the winning goal."
Haaland has now scored in each of his past 13 competitive appearances for Norway, claiming 25 goals in that run.
As one Norway fan told BBC Sport in Dallas: "He means everything to us. He's so decisive in moments like this.
"He's one of the main reasons we qualified in the first place and the reason why we won today. He's the most important player by far. He's the greatest player Norway has ever had and probably ever will have."
No current male international footballer can come close to Haaland's strike-rate, which begs the question: how many goals can he score for Norway?
