New Nightmare for Man City as De Bruyne is ruled out

It is a piece of news that every fan with Manchester City tickets did not want to hear early in the season – Kevin De Buryne might be out for the rest of the year. 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is concerned about the extent of Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring injury sustained during the Premier League win against Burnley, which could keep him out until the new year. 

Guardiola labels it a big blow for the side as De Bruyne’s contribution on the field is priceless. The best midfielder in Europe currently, De Buyne was instrumental in guiding the side t another treble last seasons. Everyone with Manchester City tickets knows his unmatched ability to create opportunities. 

With his presence on the field in question, serious changes to the Manchester City game plan will come in the next few games. 

Guardiola revealed that a decision on surgery is pending, but regardless, De Bruyne is expected to be sidelined for several months. The injury is a significant loss for the team, but Guardiola is optimistic about finding alternative solutions within the squad.

Dr. Ramón Cugat, Guardiola’s trusted physician, advises the club on De Bruyne’s situation, which is not good. 

With Belgian sidelined, either Phil Foden or Mateo Kovacic will fill the shoes to fill the void left by De Bruyne’s absence.

Guardiola emphasized De Bruyne’s importance to the team, and midfielder Rodri echoed the sentiment, highlighting the Belgian’s significance and stating that the team would miss him.

City must also find a replacement that could be a rolling substitute to play through the season with De Bruyne gone. West Ham’s Lucas Paquetà is on the City hunt list. 

But Guardiola added that this decision will entirely depend on the severity of the injury. 

Even if it is a few months, City needs replacements with the long season that they have in store as they quest to defend their Treble. 

Rico Lewis reconfirms with City 

Rico Lewis, the talented young defender of Manchester City, has inked a five-year contract extension with the treble-winning club, which delighted everyone with Manchester City tickets. 

This momentous step for the 18-year-old comes after he contributed to City’s remarkable achievements last season, including triumphs in the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. 

Lewis joined the City Academy at eight and has climbed the ranks to become a vital member of the City squad. 

The England U21 representative, who also became the youngest to score in his first Champions League start last season, will commit to City until 2028. 

Expressing his excitement, Lewis shared, “It’s been an unbelievable year for me, and now to sign this contract is a dream come true. As a City fan, I can remember watching us winning trophies when I was young, and it’s the only place I’ve wanted to be. Knowing I will be here until 2028 is fantastic, and I can’t wait to keep working and improving.”

His potential is evident in how he plays, and it is highlighted in how he adapted to Champions League football. The Champions League stage is challenging for any youngster with the highest level of football played in Europe. 

When Lewis scored against Sevilla at 17, he broke the record to be the youngest, a record previously held by Karim Benzema. It was a momentous occasion for all at the Etihad with Manchester City tickets. 

The fans gathered knew that this kid had something special, and now it is reaffirmed. 

Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football, lauded Lewis, describing him as an intelligent and mature footballer who diligently absorbs Pep’s guidance. Begiristain expressed pride in witnessing Lewis’ journey through the academy and his confident performances in the first team. 

He emphasized Lewis’ contagious energy and hunger within the squad, projecting more success in the future.

City is in Athens for the UEFA Super Cup final against Sevilla, aiming to secure their fourth trophy of the year. Guardiola expressed the team’s hunger to compete and defend their titles, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining their winning momentum.

Fresh Bid for Lucas Paqueta

According to insider sources, Manchester City is reportedly poised to make a renewed bid for Lucas Paqueta within the next 24 hours. The Premier League powerhouse is prepared to offer a substantial £80 million as they endeavor to reach an agreement with West Ham for the player’s transfer. 

This move follows the rejection of a previous offer exceeding £70 million by the Hammers. The prospect of Paqueta’s keen interest in a move to Etihad Stadium has buoyed City’s confidence in sealing the deal.

The situation places West Ham in a challenging position, potentially losing two prized assets from the 2022-23 season in a single transfer window. Earlier, Declan Rice completed a significant move to Arsenal.

Paqueta’s acquisition had set West Ham back a reported club-record fee of £51 million when he was acquired from French giants Lyon the previous summer. Paqueta’s initial five-year contract with the London club can extend to another year.

Since he arrived at the London Stadium, the Brazilian international has been a consistent starter under David Moyes. His impactful contributions include 41 appearances, yielding five goals and seven assists. Paqueta played a pivotal role in West Ham’s success in clinching European silverware in the Europa Conference League.

With the departure of key figures like Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City in recent months, Pep Guardiola is actively pursuing reinforcements for his squad. 

The potential addition of Lucas Paqueta aligns with Guardiola’s strategy to bolster the team.

Ortega wanted by Bayern 

Ortega’s tenure at Manchester City has seen him play second fiddle to the established first-choice goalkeeper, Ederson. Since his move from Arminia Bielefeld in Germany, Ortega has managed only 15 appearances, making it unlikely that he will ever secure the role of City’s primary goalkeeper under Guardiola’s management.

However, a shift to Bayern Munich might provide Ortega with the opportunity he’s been seeking. Bayern’s regular goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, is still returning to full match fitness after recovering from a leg break. Additionally, the club’s decision to allow Yann Sommer to join Inter permanently may create a significant opening for Ortega in the team’s lineup.

Returning to Germany could hold an added allure for the 30-year-old, bringing him closer to his family. Moreover, a move to Bayern Munich could offer him the best platform to earn his first cap for the German national team. 

Although he has represented the country at the U19 level, he has yet to enter the senior squad. This potential shift to Bayern could provide him with the exposure and opportunity needed to achieve this milestone in his career.

Regarding Bayern Munich’s interest in signing Stefan Ortega, City’s No two goalkeeper, Guardiola stressed the value of Ortega to the team and the challenges that losing him could pose, especially considering the limited time left in the transfer window.