Media Watch
GOSSIP: MENDY AND DALBERT LINKED
Thu 06 Jul 2017, 8:18 AM
GOSSIP: Are City set to sign Monaco's Benjamin Mendy?
GOSSIP: Are City set to sign Monaco's Benjamin Mendy?
With City releasing three experienced full-backs in the summer, it isn’t rocket science to suggest the Blues will be looking to bring in replacements for the trio before the new season starts.
Therefore, most attacking full-backs in Europe have been linked with a move to the Etihad and today we can add one of the less mentioned – 23-year-old Nice left-back Dalbert.
Squawka report: “Nice have insisted that they won’t sell talented defender Dalbert for less than his €30 million (£26.31 million) release clause.
“The left-back has been linked with a move away from Nice, with Premier League clubs Arsenal and Manchester City amongst those rumoured to be interested in signing him.
“Nice were initially prepared to start the bidding for Dalbert at €15 million but altered their approach amidst the reported interest from Arsenal and City."
If Dalbert is a new name (or fairly new), Benjamin Mendy is anything but.
The Monaco star has allegedly been on Pep Guardiola’s shopping list since the epic Champions League matches against the French Ligue 1 champions.
The 4th Official believe a move to the Blues could be edging closer as they write: “The latest to join the bandwagon is the 22-year-old Benjamin Mendy with reports doing the rounds of an imminent transfer to Manchester City. The Frenchman began his career with second tier side Le Havre, before joining French giants Marseille.
“It was under the enigmatic Marcelo Bielsa that he really flourished. Bielsa’s counter-attacking brand of football unlocked the left-back’s attacking potential, showcasing his will to go forward as much as defend.
“His superior crossing ability to unlock defences and his use of pace to channel an attacking outlet through the wings highlight why it would be easy to cast him in Guardiola’s preferred inverted full-back role.
“With the release of Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta, it is easy to see why City are looking to spend almost €45m on the full-back. Monaco have reached an agreement to sign Feyenoord’s Terence Kongolo (£13m) in a bid to replace the City-bound Mendy."
Finally, you just can’t keep Mario Balotelli down.
In the years since the enigmatic Italian left the Blues, his love of the Club plus his relationship with the fans has never waned.
The Express have picked up on his gentle ribbing of United fans on Twitter about the 2012 title win.
They write: "Balotelli has taunted Manchester United fans on Twitter - five years after City's title win. Balotelli flopped during his spell at the Etihad but he did play a part in one of City's great days.
“The madcap Italian set-up Sergio Aguero to net a stunning late goal in a 3-2 win over QPR which secured City the 2011/12 title ahead of United.
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“Balotelli was busy reminiscing about that today and tweeted: ‘I have a bit of melancholy I just review the winning match title vs QPR... that was amazing and I really loved it. #mutdsorrynotsorry #lol.’
“The tweet predictably went down well with City fans, who rushed in their droves to thank Balotelli.
“One wrote: ‘Thanks for being an important part of one of the greatest & happiest moments of my life. Without your assist who knows...’
“Another said: ‘Best. Assist. Ever. Cheers, Mario.’"
Why always Mario? And he didn’t’ flop at City’… There's a reminder above of that momentous day and Mario's crucial role - any excuse!
More gossip and City snippets tomorrow…
Thursday gossip
posted on 6/7/17
Would love to know what he said to wind Wio up in that fa cup semi final.
posted on 6/7/17
"Hey Camel Chops, who's got the hump now?"
posted on 6/7/17
I've never considered Balotelli's time at City a 'flop'
He scored a lot of important and was instrumental in securing silverware
The problem is that he was and probably still is, as mad as a box of frogs!
posted on 6/7/17
<important goals>
posted on 6/7/17
Ballotelli was never a flop. As mad as a box of frogs but never a flop. Two of the best moments came from him, the goal which led to the 'Why always me' moment in the demolition derby and the pass for THAT goal. Always love him for those moments. The lunacy is what prevented him really reaching the heights his talent deserved.
Some full backs!! Yay, get them and Walker or similar in and we are hot to trot. One more CB wouldn't go amiss but maybe Kolarov is seen as the cover there, especially if 2 LB's are signed.
posted on 6/7/17
comment by bomdia (U13941)
posted 1 hour, 38 minutes ago
Ballotelli was never a flop. As mad as a box of frogs but never a flop. Two of the best moments came from him, the goal which led to the 'Why always me' moment in the demolition derby and the pass for THAT goal. Always love him for those moments. The lunacy is what prevented him really reaching the heights his talent deserved.
Some full backs!! Yay, get them and Walker or similar in and we are hot to trot. One more CB wouldn't go amiss but maybe Kolarov is seen as the cover there, especially if 2 LB's are signed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For me his best goal was in the FA Cup against Villa
Still don't know how he was able to hit that first time and get it right in the corner. Just sublime skill. He just didn't do it on a regular enough basis
Still, my experiences are richer for having seen him in the shirt.
posted on 6/7/17
It is good having new defenders but will they be able to perform on a cold wet January night at the swamp when the long balls are raining in? The anti-football teams like Stoke and the Rags will try to negate the skill in the City midfield by simply hoofing it to the big guy upfront and we must be able to cope with that as well as the more skilled footballing teams like Huddersfield and Chelsea.