Manchester City are in the eye of a media storm after waging war on the Premier League this week in the courtroom
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Manchester City find themselves the centre of attention in English football as the animosity between themselves and the Premier League grows.
Since February 2023, the Premier League have not been warmly received at the Etihad Stadium but that feeling has risen to a historic high this week after it was announced that the Blues shall be suing the top flight. This relates to the division’s Association Party Transaction rules which limit the amount of money an owner’s affiliated business can pump into their club through sponsorship.
City argues it breaks the UK’s competition laws and they are seeking damages from the Premier League. But in our latest look at the media headlines, there are claims the club are fearing the top flight’s FFP decision.
City fear 115 FFP charges verdict
According to former Everton and Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness, City will be fearing expulsion from the Premier League if they are found guilty of the historic 115 Financial Fair Play breaches. Wyness told Football Insider: “Given the time this is taking, the Premier League will be fully prepared.
“I think what we’re seeing is City going to these extreme lengths because they fear expulsion is really an option if they’re found guilty of these 115 charges. They’re throwing everything they possibly can at this.
“I would ask City fans to look beyond blind club loyalty and really think about this. Put pressure on your club, because this is going down the wrong road for football.”
What MEN Sport says: It is perhaps slightly disingenuous to suggest that City fans are blindingly supporting their club no matter what. There is a clear desire from City fans for this action from the Premier League to be resolved speedily and for justice to prevail. It also seems unlikely that anyone, even the City owners, wants to drag the Premier League into the courtroom. But, questions do need to be asked about the Premier League’s ownership and FFP rules. Whether this is the correct arena in which to do so is not so clear.
Guardiola warned about De Bruyne transfer
Broadcaster Richard Keys has urged Guardiola not to De Bruyne this summer under any circumstances. He argued: “If De Bruyne does leave City this summer, some serious questions should be asked about Guardiola’s decision-making.
“[Cole] Palmer was the obvious replacement and his value is now three times what Chelsea paid for him.”
What MEN Sport says: One of Guardiola’s biggest strengths during his time at City is knowing when a player should move on and when they should be kept. If City can bring in a huge transfer fee, they would be foolish to reject it especially considering De Bruyne could leave for free at the end of next season. The actual obvious replacement for the Belgian is Phil Foden who will undoubtedly move permanently central if De Bruyne exits. Nobody could have predicted how well Palmer has done in his debut Chelsea season. He deserves to be in the England squad but you could hardly argue that Guardiola made a huge mistake selling him when he wanted to leave.