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Manchester City: Spaniard wants new contract; Delph on transfer rumours; big name set to return
in the past 24 hours, Pep Guardiola has said that he wants to sign a five-year deal at Manchester City as he aims to rebuild the squad to become a leading force in Europe.
Guardiola, who signed a three-year contract when he moved to the Etihad during last summer, has allegedly said that he sees City as a ‘long-term project’ and will not be leaving anytime soon.
After a tough opening season at Manchester City so far, there he wouldn’t make it to the end of his current deal; yet it now appears he’s prepared to make a U-turn and will remain at the club.
The proposed five-year deal would see his role at the Etihad become his longest ever spell at a single club, beating the four years he spent at the Nou Camp with Barcelona and the three spent at Bayern Munich.
Fabian Delph, who has been the subject of constant speculation over a move away from Manchester City over the transfer window, has said that he isn’t interested in leaving despite interest from other clubs.
West Brom had keen on signing the out-of-favour 27-year-old, but Delph confirmed that he wants to fight for his place.
He said:
“A couple of mates have said to me, ‘You’ve been linked with X, Y and Z’, but I’ve not given it any thought.
“I’m happy here. I feel like I can help my teammates and I’m obviously fit again so I can get some more minutes and help the team to push on.
“I love it here. I’m working with the best players in the world, great management, great staff around me and I’m very, very happy here.
“I want to try to help my teammates push forward. I’m fit so hopefully I’ll get some more minutes.”
Delph’s season under Pep Guardiola has been plagued by injuries so far, with the ex-Aston Villa midfielder only managing a total of 42 minutes of Premier League football over three substitute appearances.
Delph, who has labelled himself a “forgotten man”, is hoping to feature in Manchester City’s upcoming FA Cup fourth-round tie against fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace.
Speaking of which, Pep Guardiola’s side are set for a massive boost ahead of their clash with Palace on Saturday as the Vincent Kompany is pushing for a return to first-team action.
With City’s defensive issues clear for all to see this season, Kompany’s return to the side could be a welcome relief for Guardiola – as long as he can sustain a lengthy run of games in the side without picking up an injury.
After spending much of the last two years side-lined after recurring problems with his calf, groin and thigh muscles, the Belgian centre-back hasn’t featured since November 19th after colliding with Bravo against, coincidentally, City’s fourth-round opponents.
With his match fitness yet to be seen, and City fans right in wondering if Kompany will ever be able to perform like he used to during City’s title-winning days, Saturday’s FA Cup tie gives a perfect opportunity to ease him in; if he gets through it, it could prove to be the turning point that Pep Guardiola’s side need ahead of a crucial Premier League run-in.
City travel down to London to face struggling Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon as they seek to regain the piece of silverware they won back in 2012.
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