Manchester City

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

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It is often said you shouldn't go back.

And when things were as good as they were for Ilkay Gundogan during his first Manchester City spell, that sentiment may ring even more true.

But, after rejoining on a one-year deal, the midfielder will be doing just that. Could it be a stroke of genius by the club and player, or a decision ruled by heart over head?

Gundogan spent a trophy-laden seven years with City and could not have asked for a better way to sign off before joining Barcelona last summer than captaining City to the treble in 2022-23.

He played 304 times for the club and, having played in both attacking and defensive midfield roles, scored 60 goals.

A man for the big moments, perhaps four of his most memorable came in two games; he scored a double against Aston Villa to help secure the 2021-22 Premier League title and two against Manchester United to win the 2022-23 FA Cup final.

He also racked up 37 assists for the side from a total of 396 chances created.

A real midfield maestro, nobody completed more passes for City than Gundogan's 15,821 between joining the club in 2016 and leaving in June 2023.

It is understandable why manager Pep Guardiola did not want the Germany international to leave last year when his contract expired, but the club were unwilling to offer Gundogan the contract length he wanted.

Barcelona were to be the beneficiaries and the former Borussia Dortmund player proved to still be a valuable asset, scoring five goals and making 14 assists in his 51 appearances.

The Spanish club's financial difficulties have provided the path for a Gundogan-Guardiola reunion, and the questions will now be asked about whether he can still be as valuable an asset to City and who would make way for him.

When available, Euro 2024 winner Rodri is almost a guaranteed starter, while Mateo Kovacic - three years Gundogan's junior - showed his value in City's opening league win over Chelsea.

But there is little doubt that Gundogan still has the quality to help the defending Premier League champions and add to the 14 major honours already achieved with the club.

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Earlier, we asked you who has made the most Premier League appearances for Manchester City.

There have been many legends over the past 15 years at Etihad Stadium but it is Spanish magician David Silva who leads the pack at 309 appearances.

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has been discussing the influence his parents have had on his footballing career and how trying to prove his father wrong with his performances on the field made him the player he is today.

Listen to the full episode of You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker on BBC Sounds

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Ilkay Gundogan's return: "Ilkay is a highlight for today but Ipswich is my main focus. Everyone is so thrilled and happy that he is back and I am sure it is the same from the fans."

• He said Gundogan "knows everything so he doesn't need time to settle" and "if he has to play tomorrow then he knows everything".

• On the possibility of a return for former City forward Raheem Sterling: "He is a Chelsea player. I feel so attached with him because of the time we had together and I feel like that with all my players. But he is a Chelsea player."

• He said "it is a privilege and honour" to work or play for the club because they "have everything they need to perform at the highest level possible".

• In response to whether they expect to sign anyone else in this transfer window: "I don't think so but I don't know. The market might provide us something that is financially good for us, but I do not know."

• Guardiola confirmed Rodri has not been in full training and is unlikely to be available for Saturday's game.

• New signing Savinho "feels better" after being withdrawn from the opening game against Chelsea with a knee injury. Guardiola added: "I don't think he's completely top, but we will see today what we want to do with him."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Ilkay Gundogan says he "cannot wait to wear the shirt again" as he returns to Manchester City on a one-year contract.

The former captain, who spent seven years at Etihad Stadium before joining Barcelona last summer at the end of his contract, added "it means so much" to re-sign.

He made 51 appearances for the La Liga giants last season, scoring five goals and creating 14.

"Everyone knows the respect I have for Pep. He is the best manager in the world and working with him every day makes you a better player," Gundogan said.

"You feel constantly challenged, which for any professional is exactly what you want.

"I cannot wait to work with him again."

Are you excited to see your Treble-winning skipper return, Blues fans? Or would you have preferred a younger recruit? And how do you expect Guardiola to line up his midfield now?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Mike Minay
BBC Radio Manchester reporter

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I suspect there will be one thing that dominates Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola's news conference for Saturday's game against Ipswich Town later.

The return of Ilkay Gundogan.

The former City midfielder and captain is expected to have a hero's return one year after leaving for Barcelona - something that has gone down very well with Blues supporters.

An update on the fitness of Rodri will also be expected - a man so crucial to City’s recent success but yet to feature for the team this season.

Come back to this page later for the key lines from Guardiola and follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences on our live page.

Listen to Total Sport on BBC Radio Manchester every weeknight at 18:00 and listen to every Manchester City game - home and away - live on BBC Radio Manchester.

Who has made the most Premier League appearances for Manchester City?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 BST

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BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about Ilkay Gundogan, who looks likely to return to Manchester City after spending last season at Barcelona.

He said: "They [Barcelona] are letting Gundogan effectively leave for free, and he's thought the best place to be is to be back at Manchester City.

"He slots right back in. They've had a few injuries at Manchester City so it's a deal that's good for all parties.

"Man City wouldn't offer him a long enough contract [when he left in 2023], so he went and got a longer one at Barcelona but he's ended up back at Man City anyway.

"It looked like his career was away from Manchester City, but they've ended up realising they both need each other again."

The PFA's Premier League Team of the Year - as voted for by players - was largely dominated by Manchester City and Arsenal once again this season.

Premier League champions Manchester City's stars included Kyle Walker, Rodri, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, meanwhile David Raya, William Saliba, Gabriel, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard all featured for the Gunners.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins were also included in the ultimate 11-player line-up, but PFA Young Player of the Year Cole Palmer didn't make the cut.

Palmer racked up 25 goals and registered 15 assists in 45 appearances during his first season with Chelsea.

Other notable omissions included Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.

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Manchester City's Phil Foden says being voted the Professional Footballers' Association men's player's player of the year by his fellow professionals "means everything".

Foden, 24, was instrumental in City winning a historic fourth Premier League title in a row, scoring 19 times and providing eight assists. In doing so he became the youngest player to have won six league titles.

It is the latest individual honour for the City academy product after also being named the 2023-24 Premier League player of the season and the Football Writers' Association (FWA) footballer of the year.

"To be recognised this way by your fellow professionals means everything and I would like to thank everyone who voted for me," Foden said.

"I also want to pay special thanks to Pep [Guardiola], the City coaches and all my team-mates as they help me to try and get better every single day.

"Last season was another very special one for everyone at the club but now all our focus is concentrated on trying to achieve more success this term.

"To win this award is something very special and it is one that I am very proud of and grateful for."

City Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: "Everyone here is so thrilled to see Phil win this award.

"To have your fellow professionals recognise you in such a way is very special.

"Phil embodies everything we stand for at Manchester City.

"He is a supremely talented player but is someone who always strives to seek to improve and he is a very humble guy who is hugely popular throughout the Club.

"We are all very proud of him."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester City are working on a deal that could bring Ilkay Gundogan back to the club.

Gundogan left City for Barcelona in 2023 after skippering the club to its historic Treble.

However, the Catalan giants well publicised financial issues have prevented them from registering new signing Dani Olmo and they need to create space by releasing one of their higher earners.

City are wrestling with early personnel issues that include the departure of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid and an injury to Oscar Bobb that could keep him out for four months.

Gundogan could provide a short-term answer to these problems and would not require a settling in period.

Manager Pep Guardiola didn’t want Gundogan to leave City but the club were unwilling to offer the German midfielder the contract length is wanted.

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

When Rico Lewis first broke into Pep Guardiola’s first-team set-up on a consistent basis shortly after the World Cup of 2022, very few could have predicted his top-level career at Manchester City taking off in the way it has within the space of just 20 months.

The pressure at the time could not have been greater either, having largely been responsible for displacing Joao Cancelo in the squad.

Fast forward to August 2024 and that same talented teenager has won almost everything available, and not just by simply being named in the squad either. Lewis is an increasingly vital component of Guardiola's operation.

City fans were once again reminded of the remarkable footballing intelligence of the Bury-born defender on Sunday, as the 19-year-old was thrust into action at right-back against Chelsea on the Premier League's opening weekend.

Solid defensively, outstanding positional awareness, attacking threat, an eye for a forward pass, tactical flexibility to move away from a rigid and traditional right-back role into a second defensive midfielder; this was a Stamford Bridge performance that showcased just how far Lewis has come in such a short space of time.

Opposition teams are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that this isn't a naive academy prospect who can simply be shunted to one side and outmuscled by the harsh realities of senior football. This is a fighter - quite literally given his background in Muay Thai - and one willing to put everything on the line to progress his thriving career.

And with Kyle Walker not getting any younger and his performances over the past 12 months certainly showing that, as well as City themselves being aware of their need for more cover in central areas, Lewis could be the ultimate Swiss army knife at Guardiola's disposal.

Having showcased his ability to perform at both right-back and defensive midfield on Sunday, Manchester City have a talent on their hands who can cover up to four positions - as far as we're currently aware - with his footballing brain and on-the-ball abilities also having been used in a number eight role as well as an attacking midfielder.

Lewis is the latest example in a long line of youth talents being educated with the Guardiola blueprint in mind from an early age, meaning they are readily available and capable of starring the second they are given a first-team opportunity in training or competitive action.

We are no longer talking about a 19-year-old Manchester City academy graduate here. This is a fully fledged member of Guardiola's first-choice tactical operation, and a player who has the ability to register in excess of 50 appearances this season, making him one of the club's most integral first-team athletes.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Could Manchester City's former captain Ilkay Gundogan be on his way back to the Etihad from Barcelona?

The midfielder left City after seven seasons at the end of his contract last summer, but he reportedly wants to leave the La Liga giants already.

The i's chief football writer Daniel Storey told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club that the Germany international would have to "be prepared to be more of a fringe player" if he rejoins Pep Guardiola's side.

"One of the reasons he left is because there was talk about how long his contract would be and whether he would still be a key player for City," added Storey.

"He is now another year older and he has done OK at Barcelona, but it has not quite been the dream move he was hoping for."

Watch Monday Night Club on BBC iPlayer here or listen on BBC Sounds

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Former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen was full of praise for the "calm and relaxed" Erling Haaland that played against Chelsea on Sunday.

"He has clearly benefited from having a summer off," said Christiansen on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"Physically he has had a break and then a fantastic pre-season under his belt so he will be a well-oiled machine.

"He has that sense of freedom so there is no doubt he will have another season scoring many, many goals. But he will also be a joy to watch again.

"He has come into the season very calm and relaxed.

"We are day one into the season and we are already talking about how good Manchester City are. That will probably be a theme throughout this season, but one really good thing about the club is the staff and the way they prepare the players to play."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

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"Hopefully they'll win something while I'm alive but I wouldn't put money on it."

This take on Manchester City from back in 1995 is one of the few things Noel Gallagher will be happy to have been wrong about.

In a bid to one-up Britpop rival band Blur, Oasis were about to play their first headline outdoor concerts - at then City ground Maine Road.

Noel and brother Liam are lifelong fans of the club which was at the time languishing towards the bottom of the Premier League. City finished 17th in the 1994-95 season and - by April 1996 when the two concerts took place - were on their way to relegation to the second division.

Noel even commented that another relegation could open the door to a possible takeover from himself.

Some 30 years, a revolutionary takeover, 10 Premier League titles and a Treble later, things have dramatically changed.

Noel's disparaging take on the state of City is just a small part in The Rise And Fall Of Oasis - a BBC Sounds podcast series giving the story behind the iconic Manchester band.

"I'm hoping they'll get relegated to the third division so I can buy the club for about a million quid or something like that," Noel told a reporter asking him about playing Maine Road.

When pushed on whether he would be interested in buying shares in the club, he added: "I'm not sure. It is the easiest way to waste a lot of money to put it into a football club, especially Manchester City."

Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have Manchester City full-backs Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo on their transfer shortlist. (Guardian), external

Meanwhile, City are interested in a move to re-sign 33-year-old Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column