Rico Lewis and Ilkay Gundogan set for new deals?
City news: Pep hides the champagne
Manchester City could become English champions for the third time in a row on the sofa this Saturday. The pre-requisite for this would be a defeat by Arsenal at Nottingham Forest, or the Blues could seal it with their own win on Sunday against Chelsea.
This would be reason to celebrate so normally - but the coach sees it differently. Pep Guardiola has urged his players to postpone the party, according to the Daily Mirror, whilst The Telegraph ran the headline: "The champagne must remain chilled". The Sky Blues still have the finals in the FA Cup against Manchester United (June 3) and in the Champions League against Inter Milan (June 10), which will both be difficult games. Rather than reasonable odds, it’s much more like a game in an online casino Nederland.
City youngster Lewis ahead of extra time
Manchester City want to reward the good performance of homegrown Rico Lewis with a new contract. According to Fabrizio Romano, agreement on a long-term working paper for the 18-year-old right-back is said to be imminent. The teenager's contract currently expires in 2024. In Pep Guardiola's team, Lewis has made eight starts this season in the Premier League alone. In total, the tactics guru used the homegrown talent 22 times.
Lewis could replace 32 year-old Kyle Walker at right-back in the long term. The England Under-19 international has impressed with his composure and pace. In addition, the youngster also has the game intelligence to drift into the center and can therefore implement the playing style demanded by Guardiola in the full-back position better than Walker, for example, does.
Meanwhile a spectacular turnaround in Gundogan contract talks
Ilkay Gündogan is also a mainstay at Manchester City this season, and the player who looked like he might leave has seemingly reconsidered.
Gündogan has enjoyed an impressive campaign, and has been an integral part of the City side that could go on to lift a third successive Premier League title.
Now a surprising turn is looming in the transfer poker surrounding Gündogan. After a move to FC Barcelona recently became apparent, the tide seems to have turned. As The Times reports, Gündogan is now leaning towards staying with City.
Instead of the one-year contract originally offered, the designated champions are now offering the 32-year-old midfielder a further two years. That led to Gündogan rethinking and an agreement is now within reach – much to the chagrin of Barça, who may come up empty-handed.