Manchester City

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City defender Marc Guehi's absence from England training on Wednesday was precautionary and he is expected to be fit for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Norway.

The centre-back raised concerns over his availability for the game in Miami after he was confirmed as one of four players - Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice and Reece James the others - who did not train in the squad's first session since Sunday's win over Mexico.

It is understood Guehi's absence was because of muscular fatigue, but the issue is not thought to be serious.

Arsenal midfielder Rice's absence is linked to the neural hamstring lower back problem that has hampered him throughout the tournament.

But, like Guehi, the vice-captain is expected to be fit to face Norway.

There also remains hope that Chelsea right-back James, who suffered a hamstring injury in the goalless draw with Ghana on 23 June, will be available.

Hear from Erling Haaland, Nico O'Reilly and Rodri as BBC Radio Manchester's Mark Crossley has the latest Manchester City news from the World Cup.

Click play below or listen on BBC Sounds here

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have confirmed the coaches that will join the club as part of Enzo Maresca's backroom team, with all having previously worked with the Italian.

Maresca signed a three-year contract to replace Pep Guardiola and compatriot Roberto Vitiello will become his new assistant manager.

The 43-year-old started his career at Parma and played for Cesena, Vicenza, Rimini, Siena and at Palermo along with Maresca.

Willy Caballero joins as a first-team coach and returns to City, where he made 48 appearances as a goalkeeper and helped them win the 2013-14 League Cup with some penalty shootout heroics.

The Argentine is a former team-mate of Maresca from when they played for Malaga under ex-City boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Fellow first-team coach Walker is another returning to the Etihad - having worked in the academy with Maresca before joining him at Leicester and Chelsea - while Denis Silva will also hold a similar role.

Michele de Bernardin will be the new head of goalkeeping, Marcos Alvarez has been appointed as fitness coach and Javier Molina is the new analyst.

Set-piece coach James French and goalkeeping coach Richard Wright will continue in the roles they held last season.

Barcelona are competing with a host of Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United for Colorado Rapids and Australia defender Lucas Herrington, 18. (Teamtalk), external

City, Arsenal and Liverpool are all chasing 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is starring in the World Cup for Morocco. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is considering Manchester City's Ruben Dias as he looks to add physicality to his side's defence. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

In the final part of Wednesday's Q&A, Manchester City Shamoon Hafez focuses on who might be in Enzo Maresca's starting XI and if much will change overall all under the new boss.

Youssef asked: Apart from Elliott Anderson in place of Bernardo Silva, do you think Maresca will stick to Pep Guardiola's usual starting XI of Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O'Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Cherki, Semenyo, Doku, Haaland?

Shamoon: City are in the market for a new right-back so could Matheus Nunes become Malo Gusto? Will Abdukodir Khusanov keep his place in the side or will Maresca opt for the experience of Ruben Dias or Josko Gvardiol?

Reports say Rodri might miss the start of the season to have surgery after the World Cup, so could that be Ayyoub Bouaddi, who City are very interested in signing?

The remainder of the team picks itself. Those players have nailed down their places in the squad and are likely to do so again in the new season.

Image source, Getty Images

Neil asked: Do you think much will change under new manager Maresca?

Shamoon: Why would he need to? Maresca's message to the troops will probably be, "carry on what you were all doing under Guardiola and we will be successful".

When the deal to appoint him was made official, City sources told me Maresca was brought in to "continue Pep's legacy" as someone who has a similar style of play and knows the club having worked there previously.

Obviously Maresca needs to put his own stamp on the club, but he is unlikely to rip up the script and start it all over again.

Scroll down to read the first two parts of Shamoon's Q&A.

And remember, this is your Manchester City page so bookmark it, or if you're on the BBC Sport app or signed in on a browser, hit 'Follow' to add it to your MySport and get more news, analysis, stats and fan views - and also select the bell icon tin the app o sign up for club notifications.

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.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here

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.

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?

• Explore all Manchester City content on BBC Sounds

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.

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.

It is less than 50 days until the Premier League returns - and for Manchester City that marks a new era under Enzo Maresca.

Elliot Anderson became the first signing under the Italian for a club record fee, but will there be more incomings? Rodri is also entering the final 12 months of his contract.

There is lots to discuss, so our Manchester City reporter Shamoon Hafez will be on hand to answer your questions later this week.

What do you want to know about City right now?

Get in touch with your question here

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).

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...

Tell us the players you want, with your reasoning, here

Enjoy the World Cup across BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

From live TV coverage to highlights, analysis and reaction, our dedicated team will ensure you don't miss a kick of the biggest World Cup yet.

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.

• Simple steps to set up live lock screen match updates from the World Cup

• How to get Premier League score updates

A new predictor game has been introduced to cover this year's World Cup, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from every match.

The game also features streaks, so make sure to check in each day and make your predictions.

• Play World Cup Predictor here (UK users only)

Ever wanted to see a World Cup match from every angle? How about a full-pitch tactical view? Or even see the match through the eyes of a player?

Well, now you can with Fifa World Cup 3D Experience, which is a UK-first that is only available on BBC Sport.

The interactive game experience gives viewers more choice to explore the match both in real time, highlights and full-match replays.

• Head here to get started

Finally, here are some more handy links:

• How to follow the World Cup across the BBC

• All the highlights and best video

• Beat the time difference and catch up on everything without any spoilers

• Take a dive into each of the 48 squads here

• Play our World Cup quizzes

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).

Manchester City winger Savinho is on Tottenham's list of summer targets. (Talksport, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

We have been asking you questions about Manchester City all summer. Our latest is a two-pronged query...

First, is there anyone on the free transfer list you think makes sense or is realistic as a signing?

Mohamed Salah, Solly March, Fabinho, Leon Goretzka, Dusan Vlahovic, Jadon Sancho, Daichi Kamada and Yves Bissouma are just some of the names currently available - and you can see a list here of the 15 free agents involved at the World Cup.

And secondly, is there a player City are constantly linked with but you hope they never sign? If so, who and why?

Get in touch with your views here

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

Read more on Anderson's qualities

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.

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.

Watch the full highlights below...

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have agreed a deal to re-sign goalkeeper Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday.

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.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have entered the race to sign Leicester City's teenage attacker Jeremy Monga.

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.