Man City boss Pep Guardiola 'in constant contact with Lionel Messi' and more transfer rumours

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola was left hoping on Wednesday night that the injuries that forced Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne off against Aston Villa will not be too serious.Manchester City continued their good form, winning their sixth straight league game and ninth in all competitions to reach the Premier League summit for the first time this season thanks to late goals from Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan.However, they had to make do without two of their starting XI for long spells.

Annika Pham A national hero at the 2018 soccer World Cup 2018 after famously blocking a penalty shot from Argentine star Lionel Messi, Icelandic-born professional goalkeeper and filmmaker Hannes Þór Halldórsson is poised for another daunting challenge – pitching his first feature as a director, “Cop Secret,” at Sweden’s Göteborg Nordic Film Market.Picked by Göteborg head of industry Cia Edström as one of 16 works in progress’ discoveries to watch, the Icelandic action drama is based on an

direct to your inboxPep Guardiola called upon an answer he has used before when asked how he will spend his 50th birthday today.The Manchester City boss saw his side produce a professional performance mixed with moments of individual quality on Saturday to beat Crystal Palace 4-0 and move up to second in the Premier League with a game in hand over leaders Manchester United.United had earlier drawn 0-0 with Liverpool, allowing City to move above Liverpool and to within two points of United with a

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola could not rule out a January transfer for Eric Garcia but hopes that Manchester City will be able to keep hold of the player. Garcia stunned the Blues last year when he opted not to extend his contract at the Etihad and decided that he wanted to return to Barcelona.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola queried how effective the new protocols for Covid-19 can be in preventing contact on the pitch after Manchester City's FA Cup win over Birmingham. With more regular testing introduced recently across clubs following outbreaks including Newcastle, City, and Fulham, the PFA this week reminded all players not to celebrate with teammates at goals or swap shirts at the end of games in a bid to reduce contact and keep infection rates down.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola is not sure when he will be able to call on Sergio Aguero with the Manchester City striker isolating after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

straight to your inboxPhil Foden should be starting every game for Manchester City from now on, according to Micah Richards.Foden starred as City beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in Sunday's Premier League clash. The England international has not been a regular starter for Pep Guardiola 's side this season.

straight to your inbox Pep Guardiola has told Benjamin Mendy's critics to look themselves in the mirror after suggesting the Manchester City defender wasn't the only person to break Covid-19 rules on New Year's Eve. City have launched an investigation after Mendy's breach of protocols when he invited a small number of friends and family around to celebrate the New Year.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola trusts the Premier League to make the right decision on a potential circuit breaker as Manchester City prepare for their game with Chelsea without five players or a fully open training ground as a result of Covid-19. Having already seen one match this week postponed, the Blues need to hope that the additional testing done on Thursday and Saturday gives them the all-clear to go ahead with the Chelsea game on Sunday.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola blasted Everton for their reaction to the postponement of their Premier League game with Manchester City and insisted that he had personally phoned Carlo Ancelotti to inform him of the situation.

straight to your inboxBarcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta is confident Lionel Messi will remain at the club beyond next summer despite interest from Manchester City.Messi dropped a bombshell in the summer by revealing he was seriously unhappy at the club, submitting a transfer request in the hope the club would allow him to leave for nothing.Barcelona insisted the release clause that would see Messi depart on a free had expired and the Argentine opted against fighting his current

straight to your inboxRonald Koeman has responded to continued speculation surrounding the future of Barcelona star Lionel Messi.Messi has been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp, with Manchester City touted as a possible destination for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has been named as the best coach of the Century for 2001-2020. The Manchester City manager has been recognised for the prestigious award, presented by Globe Soccer, for his record at Barcelona B, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.

straight to your inboxWith Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi's contract expiring at the end of the season, the Argentine can open talks with interested parties in January, with Manchester City one of the clubs linked with signing the legendary forward.Ahead of January, former City defender Pablo Zabaleta is under no illusions that City would be a great club for Messi to join."Manchester City is the best place for Messi," Zabaleta told Spanish media outlet Marca.