Gossip: Grealish edges closer to Everton switchpublished at 07:17 BST 3 April
07:17 BST 3 April
Everton are growing in confidence that on-loan Manchester City and England winger Jack Grealish will be back with the club next season. (Daily Mail), external
Manchester City, Arsenal and Paris St-Germain are all interested in 27-year-old Spain international Dani Olmo, with Barcelona open to selling the attacking midfielder. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Atletico Madrid are closing in on a deal for 26-year-old Atalanta and Brazil midfielder Ederson, who is also of interest to Manchester City and Manchester United. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City as a free agent when his contract expires in June, with the 31-year-old Portugal midfielder already assessing his options. (Fabrizio Romano), external
The case for Semenyo to win player of the yearpublished at 14:00 BST 2 April
14:00 BST 2 April
Shamoon Hafez Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Who will win the Premier League player of the season?
That won't be announced until towards the end of May but we already have a pretty good idea of the contenders, based on players' performances so far this campaign.
Arsenal are leading the way in the title race and should they win, the likes of defender Gabriel and midfelder Declan Rice will surely be in contention but more unexpected stars like Igor Thiago and Antoine Semenyo will likely be in the mix.
A player with 19 goal contributions in the Premier League this season, Semenyo has been one of the stars of the top flight for Bournemouth and then Manchester City following his move in January.
The 26-year-old immediately hit his strides under Guardiola and scored on his debut in the 10-1 hammering of Exeter City in the FA Cup, one of eight goals for City since his £62.5m transfer from the Cherries.
By featuring against Real Madrid, Semenyo became just the fourth player to compete in non-league, all four professional divisions in England and Europe's elite competition.
The Ghana winger would have wanted to win major silverware at City and did just that when lifting the EFL Cup following his side's brilliant win over Arsenal at Wembley.
Which clubs have used academy players most in Premier League?published at 12:19 BST 2 April
12:19 BST 2 April
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
Manchester City and Chelsea, even with heavy spending in recent years, are leading the way this season when it comes to the use of academy players.
City have used seven academy players in the Premier League in 2025-26 - more than any other side. Chelsea's graduates, meanwhile, have accumulated the most minutes with 5,673.
Manchester United's tradition continues - their ongoing run of naming at least one home-grown player in a matchday squad dates back to 1937. They have used six this season, although their combined minutes (1,264) are well short of Chelsea and City (5,162).
There are some nuances within the numbers.
Across the Premier League, there are players from top-flight academies now at other teams.
Some players moved clubs during the season and others moved from one academy to another before making a senior appearance, the most notable example being Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea to Liverpool.
Reduced role 'difficult to deal with at times' - Akepublished at 09:08 BST 2 April
09:08 BST 2 April
Image source, Getty Images
Nathan Ake has said he has found a reduced playing role at Manchester City this season "difficult to deal with at times".
The Netherlands defender, 31, had an injury-affected 2024-25 and has started only four Premier League matches for City this term.
He has made a further 10 league appearances off the bench and started every match of City's Carabao Cup success, including the final at Wembley against Arsenal on 22 March.
Ake told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: "To be honest, it is difficult to deal with at times, especially because I was in the starting line-up more in recent years than this season.
"I also spoke to the manager [Pep Guardiola] about it. He also indicated that things are a bit different this year.
"Mentally, it demands a bit more at times. You always have to be ready when you suddenly have to play, like [in the cup final]. Then people also expect you to be at your best."
Gossip: Stones moves closer to Man City exitpublished at 07:13 BST 2 April
07:13 BST 2 April
Manchester City defender John Stones is not expected to be offered a new deal at his current club, with the 31-year-old's former club Everton among those monitoring his situation. (Talksport), external
Sandro Tonali's representatives have made contact with Real Madrid as part of a widening search for the 25-year-old's next club, while Manchester City are also interested in signing the Newcastle United and Italy midfielder. (Teamtalk), external
Barcelona are leading the race to sign 31-year-old Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva on a free transfer this summer. (Sun), external
Inter Milan and Netherlands right-back Denzel Dumfries has been offered to Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle United. (Teamtalk), external
How 'undroppable' Silva is Man City's 'coach on the pitch'published at 12:26 BST 1 April
12:26 BST 1 April
Umir Irfan Football tactics correspondent
At this point in the season, Bernardo Silva is undroppable. His experience, tactical understanding and positional versatility make him Pep Guardiola's coach on the pitch, capable of adapting to ensure Manchester City can tweak their tactics game to game.
A big part of his role this season has been assisting City's build-up. Although City's new signings are capable, in a league where man-marking is more common this season, Silva has been seen dropping extremely deep.
Against Leeds, Silva, alongside Rodri, dropped in as central defenders. This moved the centre-backs out of areas that are harder to play in under pressure, catching the opposition off-guard. Both midfielders excelled on the ball here and helped City progress up the pitch.
Image caption,
Bernardo Silva and Rodri took up centre-back positions in this City goal-kick against Leeds, allowing them to evade the opposition's press and move the ball up the pitch
His role out of possession has been paramount to City's revival in the second part of the campaign too. The game against Liverpool in November showcased the City captain's tactical understanding of how and when to press.
City cut off passing lanes to Virgil van Dijk, forcing the ball to Ibrahima Konate, the weaker of Liverpool's two ball-playing centre-backs.
Phil Foden pressed Konate when the ball went out to him and Silva was tasked with deciding which of the midfielders to press, Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister, and it was something he did intelligently.
Liverpool made tweaks of their own by dropping Gravenberch into the right of what later became a back three. It was Silva here who amended City's press, negating the visitors' change.
Foden continued to press the right centre-back, Gravenberch, while Silva switched between pressing Mac Allister and Konate, who was now positioned in the middle of the back three.
It is easy for the small details to be missed by fans, but Silva's contributions are indispensable for his manager, who said in November: "He doesn't score too many goals or is not involved in all the assists but he gives us something that is not in the stats, and a lot of things that are incredibly valuable to us.
"[He is] absolutely one of the best players I have ever trained in my career."
Image caption,
Bernardo Silva's role against Liverpool out of possession changed mid-game. Here he is blocking the pass to Mac Allister behind him, while applying pressure to Konate on the ball
'Grateful to be given this opportunity' - Guehi on England captaincypublished at 09:16 BST 1 April
09:16 BST 1 April
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City's Marc Guehi says he is not a "natural" captain but it was an "honour" to wear the armband for England for the first time in Tuesday's 1-0 friendly defeat by Japan at Wembley.
The 25-year-old skippered Crystal Palace to their first major trophy last season and has previously captained the England Under-21s under Lee Carsley.
"I don't really like talking about myself because it's a team sport and it's about the team," Guehi told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"But I'm glad and I'm grateful to be given this opportunity to captain my country. It's a very nice moment.
"I wouldn't say I'm a natural captain - I'd say others maybe see that in me more than I see it in myself. But I'll happily take the responsibility on and it's an honour to have done that. I know not many players get that opportunity so the fact I've had that is a blessing."
Aside from being suspended for the quarter-finals, Guehi played every minute for England as they reached the Euro 2024 final and played down the impact of a second friendly loss in the final international break before this summer's World Cup.
"That's why you have these tests in March to play against a team like Japan, who are very well-drilled, going to the World Cup and looking to get out of the group themselves," he added.
"It's important we put things into perspective and learn from these moments.
"Let's move on for the World Cup come June, stick to what we've been doing and have each other's backs."
'England's equivalent of an ill-fitting square peg in a round hole'published at 07:26 BST 1 April
07:26 BST 1 April
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Thomas Tuchel and his England team had a taste of what life would be like without Harry Kane as they slumped to a deserved defeat by Japan at Wembley on Tuesday.
Without the Bayern Munich striker, England lacked punch, creativity and cutting edge.
Even Tuchel appears to be struggling to find a solution should Kane be unavailable during the World Cup. Quite simply, it is not even worth contemplating from a Three Lions viewpoint.
England's threat, without Kane, falls off a cliff.
This is surely not news to Tuchel, but he will have everything crossed that the 32-year-old is fit and well in June.
Alternatives have had try-outs during this camp, but recognised number nines in Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin did not make their case strongly enough.
And the experiment of using Manchester City's Phil Foden as a false nine looked exactly that against Japan, Tuchel perhaps recognising it was not delivering desired results as it was abandoned inside an hour when he sent on an orthodox striker in Solanke.
Foden was tireless, but this was England's equivalent of an ill-fitting square peg in a round hole.
It was a desperate measure, through no fault of Foden's, that should now be forgotten.
City and Arsenal are the favourites to sign Newcastle and England defender Tino Livramento, 23, if he fails to agree a new contract with the Magpies. (Football Insider), external
Bayern Munich are not interested in signing attacking midfielder Phil Foden from Manchester City because they do not have the budget for the potential transfer. (Bild - in German), external
Losing Silva could be Guardiola's 'toughest tactical challenge'published at 16:38 BST 31 March
16:38 BST 31 March
Freddie Pye Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, Riyad Mahrez, Ederson. Some of the greatest players to have graced the English game, and some names that redefined their position during their time at Manchester City.
And they're all names that Etihad Stadium has been forced to bid farewell to since 2018. Stars of the modern day that have entirely transformed the perception of Manchester City from an ambitious project aiming to emulate the successes of Barcelona - largely through playing style - into a consistent winning machine expected to claim the game's biggest honours year after year.
Former sporting director Txiki Begiristain was largely able to secure strong replacements such as Ruben Dias for Kompany, Rodri for Fernandinho, Erling Haaland for Aguero, Gianluigi Donnarumma for Ederson.
But while some names like Silva and De Bruyne were always going to be difficult to replace, the most difficult task is on the horizon, with club captain and star midfielder Bernardo Silva's contract expiring at the end of the season.
Eight seasons, multiple Premier League crowns, a Champions League, a multitude of records broken alongside his team-mates. Pep Guardiola has never shied away from highlighting his adoration for the Portuguese playmaker, professing his "love" for him this campaign and claiming he has a "weakness" for the 31-year-old.
That was only further strengthened by the role Bernardo played and the consistency he showed during one of the most challenging campaigns in Guardiola's tenure in 2024-25.
This is a player who not only understands exactly what it takes to work under Guardiola, but also has an unrivalled intelligence of how to operate in a variety of complex roles with the Catalan, understands the extremely high standards needed to star in a City squad and also an undeniable and unbreakable bond with supporters.
If Guardiola is to stay on into his final season of his current Manchester City contract, reworking a playing squad competing across competitions without his beloved Bernardo may not just be his toughest tactical challenge, but also the hardest to handle from an emotional standpoint.
Is Silva irreplaceable?published at 09:00 BST 31 March
09:00 BST 31 March
Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Bernardo Silva's contract expires at the end of the season and there is no clear indication as to whether he will stay or leave.
In September, he said he knows "exactly" what he is going to do when his deal comes to an end, without actually revealing what that is.
He has not yet signed an extension and has been linked with the likes of La Liga leaders Barcelona, Serie A side Juventus and clubs in America.
City are understood to be interested in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson in the summer, a move that may well transpire whether Silva leaves or not.
But how do City go about replacing a player like Silva with this chapter in his career possibly about to close?
"You don't replace him, he is in many ways irreplaceable," said former City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. "He doesn't have a position, he is everywhere."
Ex-City women's captain Steph Houghton added: "There is nobody that can do what he does. With Bernardo, he is a different kind of leader to Kompany or Fernandinho.
"A lot of it is through performances and about him leading the boys in doing certain things, you can't fault his effort every single time he pulls on a Manchester City shirt.
"No matter where he is playing, he gives absolutely everything."
Stones remains 'big part' of Tuchel's England planspublished at 13:04 BST 30 March
13:04 BST 30 March
Image source, Getty Images
England boss Thomas Tuchel says John Stones remains a "big part" of his plans, despite his latest injury setback.
The 31-year-old defender did not feature in Friday's 1-1 draw against Uruguay and he has returned to Manchester City because of a minor injury sustained in training, meaning he will not be involved against Japan on Tuesday.
"It's not ideal for John and not ideal for us of course," said Tuchel at a news conference on Monday.
"John was gutted that he had this minor incident again. It was not a big injury, just minor, but given the history we had to be careful. It made no sense to push him through and try stuff to make things even worse."
The German continued: "He has a lot of credit in the bank with me still. He is a key player for us, as a starter or a substitute, because of his quality, his mentality and personality.
"He is a big part in my plans still but, like everyone, he has to be fit. Once we make the team selection, he has to be fit and there is no big exception for that.
"Let's wait to see how it plays out, he will have some days' rest. I saw him playing very strongly for City against Newcastle in the FA Cup - he did so well.
"I can think he can get away with not too many minutes, but some minutes and being competitive would be nice. Then, like always, we will take a late decision."
When will Man City's postponed game against Palace be played?published at 11:09 BST 30 March
11:09 BST 30 March
Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter
Manchester City's game in hand in the Premier League has been the subject of several questions sent in via our club Ask Me Anything form.
The home match against Crystal Palace, scheduled for the penultimate weekend in March, was postponed because of City's participation in the Carabao Cup final and the fixture is yet to be rearranged.
City beat Arsenal 2-0 to lift the trophy at Wembley and have played a game fewer than the Gunners, who would have faced Wolves on cup final weekend - but that game had already been brought forward and played on 18 February.
So, when could Pep Guardiola's side face Palace?
Matters are complicated by European competitions - though City have been knocked out of the Champions League, Palace are still in the Conference League and face Fiorentina in their quarter-final on 9 and 16 April.
Ultimately, there are three possible options for when the game can be played - the midweeks of 22 April, 13 May and 20 May.
This takes into account Palace potentially reaching the last four of the Conference League, which blocks out four dates for the Eagles.
The date in April is most likely for a few reasons, though it may depend on the result of the FA Cup quarter-final between City and Liverpool.
If Liverpool win the tie, Palace's game against the Reds on 25 April will have to be moved as it clashes with the FA Cup semi-finals.
That would leave Palace with two games to slot into three positions and the Premier League is more likely to get the City match played at the first available opportunity.
If City win the cup tie, they could potentially have three games to move - Burnley and Bournemouth away are also on FA Cup round dates.
But City are not restricted by the European calendar.
However, there remains a greater likelihood that the Premier League would try to avoid a European clash.
It means those two games would probably be played on those midweeks of 13 and 20 May.
Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.
We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.
'Foden needed a big performance... it did not happen'published at 09:47 BST 30 March
09:47 BST 30 March
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Phil Foden's World Cup audition ended painfully with the consoling arm of England head coach Thomas Tuchel around his shoulder.
The 25-year-old's face was a picture of hurt, primarily from a dreadful challenge by Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo that left him clutching his ankle, but also after a display that left his chances of making the cut for this summer's showpiece in the balance.
The Manchester City forward was given the opportunity to strike first in the fight for a fiercely competitive number 10 position as he started ahead of Chelsea's Cole Palmer.
Instead, Foden failed to make any impact, suffering in an over-crowded area against a gifted and uncompromising Uruguay side, often forced to drop deep to little effect in the 1-1 draw.
The worst-case scenario is he may have missed his last big chance to force his way to the forefront of Tuchel's thoughts as he finalises his World Cup plans.
Palmer, meanwhile, delivered a lively cameo in which he fashioned a glorious chance which substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin somehow headed wide from six yards, and then set up Ben White's goal with a corner.
Foden is currently fighting on two fronts, to secure a regular place in City's team under Pep Guardiola, as well as reviving an England career which has lost momentum.
He has started 21 out of City's 30 Premier League games this season, but his form has faded following a bright beginning.
Foden needed a big performance against Uruguay to make an impression in areas of the team where Tuchel has plenty of quality to choose from.
Gossip: Silva informs Man City of summer exitpublished at 06:43 BST 30 March
06:43 BST 30 March
Captain and midfielder Bernardo Silva has told Manchester City that he will be leaving the club when his contract runs out in the summer. (Caught Offside), external
'World class' Stones a doubt for Uruguay friendly - Tuchelpublished at 12:32 GMT 27 March
12:32 GMT 27 March
Image source, Getty Images
England manager Thomas Tuchel said Manchester City defender John Stones is a doubt for Friday's friendly against Uruguay because of a calf problem.
Stones has made just 15 appearances in an injury-plagued campaign.
The 31-year-old, whose club contract expires in June, has 87 caps for England and is highly-valued by Tuchel.
"Another world-class player," the England boss said. "He is so good with his experience and his game understanding, but he is a bit worried.
"He has a slight concern in his calf, he feels his calf, he is not 100% free and I am not sure if he can play.
"It is a pity he can not fully rely at the moment on his body. He is very sensitive about it, but for me he is a super important person within the team and game understanding, in the tactical experience and the approach to adjust to different shapes of the opponent. Full of quality.
"He has been an important player for Manchester City in a winning environment and a winning club. On an everyday basis you have to live up to the highest expectations. This is so important.
"We have other top central defenders, but he can still play a part, with his energy and with his quality, but first of all I want him to be in camp as a player.
"Let's see how this camp continues and how it plays out."
England's friendly at Wembley against Uruguay, who are ranked 15th in the world, kicks off at 19:45 GMT.
Can Rodri and Zubimendi play together?published at 09:14 GMT 27 March
09:14 GMT 27 March
Marcus Alves BBC Sport
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City were all over Arsenal early in the second half of Sunday's Carabao Cup final when Rodri spread his arms calling for the ball on the edge of the area.
Rayan Cherki instantly spotted him and picked him out. Rodri controlled it and fired it right away.
The low shot looked destined for the bottom-right corner of Kepa's goal, but Martin Zubimendi got in the way and blocked his fellow Spaniard's effort.
Ultimately, Rodri came out on top as City won 2-0 at Wembley to lift the trophy.
But the battle of the two midfielders is far from over. It resumed on Monday when both of them reported to the Spanish national team camp in Madrid before the friendlies against Serbia and Egypt.
Not only are they still fighting for the Premier League title, but also for a starting place with the European champions.
That's one of the main debates in Spain before this summer's World Cup.
Can Rodri and Zubimendi play together?
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has had to address this question so often during the past few months that he has now reached a point where he is simply anticipating it in interviews.
"After all the setbacks he went through, Rodrigo is back at a high level. I've said before that he is the best in the world, but also on those same occasions that we are very fortunate," De La Fuente told TVE.
"After all, in that position, the number six role, we have the two best players in the world: Rodrigo and Martin [Zubimendi].
"So I will get ahead of a question you are probably going to ask: can they play together? Of course they can play together."
The 64-year-old boss has yet to truly put that into practice, however.
He has done it once, but that was quite circumstantial. It took place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals against France, when Zubimendi came off the bench in the 93rd minute.
For most of their time at Las Rozas headquarters in Madrid, it has been either one or the other.
Rodri had long been undroppable and even had a say within the dressing room in how the team played, but his most recent start was in September 2024 against Switzerland.
In his absence, Zubimendi has made such an impact that what once felt unquestionable no longer does: there is life without the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner.
The first clues to what comes next could arrive on Friday when Spain face Serbia in Villarreal.
Manchester City and Arsenal are both hopeful of signing Hearts' 17-year-old defender Archie Osborne at the end of this season. (Caught Offside), external
