Manchester City

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On the latest episode of the BBC's Planet Premier League podcast, a listener posed a question about which club they would rather be heading into next season - Manchester City or Arsenal?

The two clubs were involved in a tight Premier League title race in 2023-24, with City coming out on top by two points on the final day of the season.

Ex-Arsenal forward Theo Walcott: "City have come off the back of winning four Premier Leagues in a row. I think Arsenal's a good place to be if you're looking to establish yourself in an up-and-coming elite team. The experiences that City have provided though says it all - when they get ahead, you just can't defeat them.

"I would probably want to be at Arsenal, but I don't think it's ever really possible that City would be on a downward spiral. They had an off-season, a bit of a hangover from the Treble last year - how does it get better for them?

"That's when the players and the personnel changes and that's what Pep Guardiola is very good at. He changes it up and keeps everyone on their toes. You look at Jack Grealish, who's not really featured at all this season because he's got Jeremy Doku now to compete against.

"He's always thinking of the next player in the cycle, he's ahead of the game, he's probably already thought what's going to happen next year and it will probably develop again into the same story."

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas: "If I was a young player, I would rather be at Arsenal than Manchester City now because, sooner or later, Guardiola is going to go. There will be consequences.

"I know they are a smart club and they will try to find the best solution possible, but Arsenal are building something very special for the future and I think sooner rather than later they will make it, 100%."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

On the first episode of the 'You'll Never beat Kyle Walker' podcast on BBC Sounds, Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker reflects on a trip to South Korea with his former Tottenham team-mate Son Heung-min.

Listen to the full episode here

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While Manchester United were busy winning their third trophy of the Treble, Manchester City were preparing for the play-off final in England's third tier.

It was 25 years ago and Manchester City beat Gillingham to win promotion back to the First Division (now the Championship) and stop the rot.

But that's not even half the story. If you think final day drama and late goals have defined Manchester City over the last decade - this is what started it all.

At 2-0 down with five minutes to go, Kevin Horlock and Paul Dickov rescued the game to take it to extra time before Nicky Weaver was the penalty shootout hero in goal.

If you're over 30, you don't need telling how significant that was or how important it was in reviving Manchester City and helping to create the modern day Blues. If you're under 30, you'll have been educated on it.

There are many with stories of leaving at 2-0 (my own family has that story). For many it was a rare glimpse of silverware as City were caught in the middle of a 35-year wait for a major domestic honour.

It's a proper sliding door moment. What if City hadn't come back? Would they have sat in League One forever more? Would the Abu Dhabi investment have ever happened? Probably not.

Paul Dickov recently carried out the Premier League trophy to the side that had just won a fourth league title in a row. Being in the Premier League back then was the target.

So to those that played, those that were there, those that watched on their TVs and those that listened on the radio - a timely reminder that every success City enjoy now is a little sweeter when you flick the highlights back to that day 25 years ago.

In the first episode of You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker on BBC Sounds, the Manchester City and England defender picks out the traits of players he believes would make the perfect right-back, and explains why he rates Chelsea's Reece James so highly.

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Manchester City are considering a move for 28-year-old Werder Bremen and German goalkeeper Michael Zetterer. (Bild via Sport Witness), external

RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg and Roma are interested in 28-year-old Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips. (Sun), external

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Kyle Walker has more than 80 England caps, won the Champions League and captained Manchester City to a Premier League title - but he believes he could still "improve massively" as a player.

The defender was speaking on the first episode of You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker, a new podcast on BBC Sounds.

The 34-year-old said he is not a "hyper-confident" player and continued: "I've always had to fight for everything that I've had - nothing's just been given to me.

"At a younger age - from nine to about 14 - I was probably the best player in the team. I took a while to grow, everybody started growing, everyone started becoming faster than me and that was my big trait.

"Even now, I doubt myself. What I've achieved is fantastic, but I still think I can be better and improve massively."

Asked when any doubts may occur, Walker said: "Once you're on the pitch and the whistle blows, it's gone - the nerves are gone and you're just rolling with it. If you're in trouble, you're looking to your right and your left to your mates to help you out of a sticky situation.

"But you look at some full-backs we've got, especially in this country that I've played with, I think Joao Cancelo technically is probably the best I've seen as a full-back.

"You think: 'I wish I'd worked a little bit harder on certain things.' But then they might look at my game and say: 'I wish I had his pace or strength.'"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Manchester City have cleared striker Julian Alvarez to play for Argentina in this summer's Olympics.

Alvarez is a regular for the senior national team and started the 2022 World Cup final victory over France.

He is expected to be part of Argentina's Copa America squad next month but has also been tipped for selection as an over-age player in Javier Mascherano's under-23 squad for the Paris Olympics.

Although it would mean a hefty summer workload for the 24-year-old, it is understood City will not stand in Alvarez's way.

Argentina open their Copa America campaign against Canada in Atlanta on 20 June. The final is in Miami on 14 July.

They have been drawn in the same Olympic group as Morocco, Iraq and Ukraine. That tournament runs from 24 July to 9 August.

The Premier League season begins on 17 August, although City will play Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley on 10 August.

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In the first episode of You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker on BBC Sounds, the Manchester City captain discusses some of the best players he has played with during his career.

"I've been very fortunate to play with a lot of great players," said the England defender, 34.

"At Tottenham - Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, and I think Ledley King was so underrated. For Thierry Henry to say he's the best player he's played against, you've got to be doing something right.

"[At City] David Silva was incredible. You gave him a bad pass and he made you look good. He made you look a better player.

"Kevin [de Bruyne] will go down as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. He doesn't mind giving the ball away. He'll try a 40-yard pass and if he doesn't succeed, the norm would probably say 'I'm not doing that again', but he'll think 'I'm just going to do it again'."

And Walker believes that trait is one that is present in the current England team, which is among the favourites to win Euro 2024 this summer.

He continued: "It's human nature - you do something once and it doesn't go well, and you're cautious. Maybe that's what the turning point is with this England team now.

"Before you used to be a little bit scared to go and make a mistake for England, but now the amount of talent we've got in the team is incredible and we should go and do something special this summer."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Competition is growing for RB Leipzig's Spain forward Dani Olmo, with Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich all interested in the 26-year-old. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

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New York Times football correspondent Rory Smith has been discussing where Pep Guardiola could go next if he was to leave Manchester City on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club:

"I don't think anyone expected him to be at Manchester City for nine years when he signed. I don't think he expected to be at Manchester City for nine years when he signed.

"He has said basically every season for the last four or five, 'I'm going to leave at some point'.

"Everyone sort of shrugs it off and goes 'oh, it's just Pep'. The problem he's got is I'm not quite sure - and this sounds ridiculous for the greatest manager of his generation - I'm not sure where he goes as manager if he's not Manchester City manager.

"I'm sure everyone would love to have him, but what's the club that offers him the things he's got at City? I'm not sure there is one."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Paris St-Germain are ready to battle Manchester City and Arsenal for £100m-rated Newcastle United and Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, 26. (Goal, external)

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Manchester City Women's defender Esme Morgan feels the men's side had some refereeing decisions go against them in the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United on Sunday:

"It's an awkward one [Martinez's altercation with Haaland in the opening minute of the match], but every single one of us [the BBC Radio Manchester team] said it was a penalty.

"Haaland was hung in the air, ready to power a header towards goal and it almost seemed inevitable that he would score a goal. He got clattered from behind out of nowhere and was flat on the floor. I still can't believe it now. For me it was a clear penalty, as clear as they come."

On the incident between Haaland and Mainoo in the second half, Morgan added: "When you see the replay, Mainoo is completely hugging him and dragging him to the ground. It's a wonder how VAR didn't even think that warranted a check either.

"On reflection, we've been quite hard done by with decisions, but we missed chances to take the matters into our own hands and pull the game back."

Listen to the full episode here

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Former Premier League winner Chris Sutton believes Pep Guardiola and Manchester City will "not be totally satisfied" after missing out on domestic double with FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United, but were unlucky not to be awarded at least one penalty.

Erling Haaland appeared to be pushed in the first minute by Lisandro Martinez while jumping to head the ball and wrestled to the floor by Kobbie Mainoo after the break as he looked to attack a corner.

"I thought the one in the second-half more so than the one in the first," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Full balance - I thought in the first-half Martinez was lucky. He was stupid with the challenge.

"In the second-half I thought Mainoo was facing the wrong way and not looking at the ball. That is a problem and should have been a penalty.

"You can't face the wrong way, you can't do that. That's ridiculous."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

In contrast with the uncertainty around Manchester United, we know Pep Guardiola will be back to try to win more trophies with City next season.

I did not agree with Pep's comments after the game that City were the better team on Saturday, because they were not. They did not play well at all, and they were a long way below their best – and the best team won.

City have had another excellent season, doing what no English side has ever done in the 136-year history of league football in this country, by winning four top-flight titles in a row.

They also got to show off the World Club Cup and Uefa Super Cup, as well as the Premier League trophy, on their parade in Manchester on Sunday, but there was obviously a tinge of disappointment they have not kept hold of the FA Cup too, especially after the way they lost this game.

We don't say it too often but virtually all of their star attackers were quiet against United. Jeremy Doku was their best player when he came on for the second half, but no-one else really impressed me for City.

It shows even the very best teams and players have off days, because they just did not play well - although we need to give a lot of credit to United for stifling them.

Alan Shearer was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.

Despite missing out on a league and FA Cup double, Manchester City's players and staff celebrated their unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title with a victory parade through the city centre on Sunday.

Here are some of the best pictures of another day of City celebration.

See more over here

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We asked for your views on Sunday's 2-1 FA Cup final defeat by Manchester United at Wembley.

Here are some of your responses:

Sam: I’m not usually one to subscribe to the 'they just wanted it more' cliche... but United just wanted it more. Both of their goals came from relentless pressing from the younger players which City didn’t match at the other end.

Jeff: I was at Wembley and felt there was a definite feeling of complacency from City before the game. United were really up for it and stopped us playing. Jeremy Doku changed things in the second half but a combination of bad misses and great saves meant it wasn’t to be. Best team won on the day.

Molson: We looked tired and out of sorts without exception today. So rare to see from City but we have to remember they are human and have exceeded all of our expectations in recent years. It's just a blip in another wonderful season.

Pedro: The team didn't turn up today - only Doku had anything like a good game. Feel really sorry for Stefan [Ortega] as he has been fantastic when he has been needed. I don't blame Josko Gvardiol at all. This loss will be the best motivation for next season. Let's go for FIVE!!

Mark: Think United wanted it more, and to be honest, the entire City team looked exhausted.

Maarten: After a brilliant season in the Premier League, this was a game too far. Exposed again in my opinion. The inclusion of Erling Haaland meant that other players were less effective (especially Phil Foden) and that the press on the United defence was lacking.

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is confident Jack Grealish will return to form next season.

Grealish was a key member of the treble-winning side in 2022-23, but has registered only three goals and three assists in 36 matches this season and featured for only 10 minutes during City's five matches in May.

"He will be back," Guardiola said. "He’s struggled this season and Jeremy [Doku] has made an incredible step forward as everyone has seen in the last games. But Jack will be back at the level of last season, I'm pretty sure."

Elsewhere in the squad, Guardiola is uncertain on the future of other City players.

"I know some players have to take a decision on whether they stay with us and some players might come," he said. "My sporting director says everything is fine for next year but right now, I don’t know what might happen."

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Former Premier League winner Chris Sutton says Manchester City's efforts in claiming the Premier League title may have caused them to come up short in Saturday's FA Cup final defeat by rivals Manchester United.

City missed the chance to become the first English side to secure back-to-back league and FA Cup doubles and were also knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals by Real Madrid on penalties.

"It's been a brilliant season but I think the way the Manchester City players are and with their mindset they will not be totally satisfied," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"They will look at losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League and the defeat to Manchester United as two missed opportunities and two more trophies they could have and should have had. But, they didn't do enough."

City dominated possession, corners and shots but had fewer shots on target than United and struggled to create clear-cut openings and they chased the game in the second half.

"Maybe the effort of getting over the line in the Premier League has shown a little bit," Sutton added.

"When we're all marvelling over them and thinking it's incredible that they weren't phased, they were strong and they didn't flinch - maybe that has taken its toll a little bit."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Pep Guardiola had never lost a domestic cup final before Saturday's defeat by Manchester United at Wembley.

So what went wrong for Manchester City? Should the Blues have had two penalties? BBC Radio Manchester's We're Not Really Here sifts through the wreckage.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to bring his stint to the club to an end when his current contract runs out next summer. (Mail), external

Plus, City keeper Ederson is a target for Al-Ittihad with the Saudi Pro League side willing to offer an initial £25m for the 30-year-old Brazil international. (Mail), external

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