Pep Guardiola says the EFL Cup is as important to him as any of the four trophies that Manchester City are seeking this season.
The runaway Premier League leaders 15 points clear of Manchester United take on Bristol City on Tuesday in the first contest of a two-legged affair.
Lee Johnson s Robins stunned Jose Mourinho s United in the last round, although City appear an altogether different proposition, having gone unbeaten in domestic competition so far this season.
Their latest triumph was a 4-1 win over Burnley in the FA Cup third round on Saturday and Guardiola says City must begin hoarding silverware if they are to earn a lasting reputation to match their stellar form this term.
Quizzed on the competition s standing in his thoughts, Guardiola said: So…
James Rodriguez is still adapting to life in the Bundesliga, but Jupp Heynckes is satisfied with the midfielder s performances at Bayern Munich.
The Colombia international has started 10 league games since moving to the Allianz Arena from Real Madrid on a two-season loan deal, scoring twice and supplying three assists.
James this week suggested he would be keen to stay at Bayern for many years , and Heynckes is willing to be patient to get the best out of the 2014 World Cup s top goalscorer.
I have said already several times a new player needs some time to integrate, Heynckes told a news conference ahead of Wednesday s visit of Cologne. If you come from abroad many things play a role: the weather, the food, the new team, the other football.
James plays …
Noel Whelan believes that Theo Walcott is better off at Southampton than at Everton.
The former Leeds United striker, who now works as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds, does not believe that Walcott could make the most of chances he got at the Toffees.
The 31-year-old ex-Arsenal forward returned to his former club Southampton on summer transfer deadline day on a loan deal from Everton.
Walcott was clearly not in Ancelotti’s plans. He was given an opportunity to shine when he first came in but he did not do it. Let’s be honest, he has not done it at Everton since he got there. It was not a good move for player or club.
I think he will be better off at Southampton because the strength in depth now at Everton is fantastic. He is not going to get opportuni…
Riyad Mahrez has been left out of Leicester City s squad for the visit of Swansea City, with Claude Puel telling the Algerian to clear his head following the collapse of his prospective move to Manchester City.
Mahrez emerged as a late target for Pep Guardiola s league leaders in January following an injury to Leroy Sane, with the two clubs entering negotiations as the deadline approached.
However, Leicester held firm and are said to have demanded £95million for the 26-year-old, leaving City to concede defeat in their pursuit.
As a result, Mahrez is now reported to have missed training four days in a row having not turned up on Friday, with Puel refusing to confirm whether he has permission or not.
20+ Riyad Mahrez (31 goals, 21 assists) is one of only t…
Market: Atalanta win
Odds: 4/5 @
With it all coming down to their final Group F meeting, Atalanta will welcome a struggling Villarreal to the Gewiss Stadium on Wednesday night.
Starting with the hosts, picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend with an action-packed 3-2 win against Napoli on the road, Atalanta should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Continuing to impress on either side of November s international break, Head Coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be smelling the chance to enjoy a famous night at the Gewiss Stadium here. Knowing that a victory on Wednesday night would book their spot in the knockout stage of this year s Champions League, La Dea are enjoying an extended 10-match unbeaten run across all formats, a run that stems all the …
Amad Diallo is targeting Premier League and Champions League success after completing his move to Manchester United.
United agreed a deal with Serie A side Atalanta for 18-year-old winger Diallo back in October and he arrived at the club on Wednesday.
He has signed a contract until June 2025 with the option for an extra year and has lofty ambitions at Old Trafford.
I m a little bit too anxious to say this given it s just the start [of my time here] but my dream is to win the Premier League and the Champions League with Manchester United. That is my aim and goal, Diallo said in a club interview.
I m over the moon to be here. I m so excited to start here at Manchester United. It s a dream come true and I can t wait to start and play with the guys.
Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar insists he will not be intimidated by Robin van Persie when Manchester United visit on Saturday.
When asked if he will be swapping shirts at half time, Vlaar told The Guardian: Never, never. I don t think of that before I go into a game.
It s not about changing your shirt with another player. I want the points – that s the most important thing.
We all know who we re playing against. But I m not afraid of anyone.
Vlaar suffered a string of serious injuries during his seven years at Feyenoord, effectively missing two years of his career due to knee problems, but he is remaining positive after maintaining his fitness since then.
The first time it happened was on September 16, 2007 and that season was gone, he said…
Sydney defender Pascal Bosschaart says his side have been revelling in Frank Farina s new hard-line approach to training.
Farina has completed his first week in charge of the Sky Blues, which has included twice-daily training sessions and the cancellation of a scheduled day off to work on fixing the side s problems.
Sydney managed to snap a four-game losing streak with a 0-0 draw with the Melbourne Heart last weekend and Bosschaart is confident the team can build on that result against the in-form Phoenix.
The Dutchman said Farina has already instilled a new-found steel to the side and improved the way they approach their preparation for matches ahead of the clash against Wellington on Sunday.
No disrespect to the previous coach but this is how you hav…
Stoke City striker Peter Crouch believes Liverpool were close to winning the English Premier League when he was at the club.
The 31-year-old, who faces his former club on Wednesday, has admitted it was with a heavy heart that he left the club back in 2008 when he departed for Portsmouth after failing to win a regular place in the first team.
It was disappointing, I don t think anyone ever wants to leave a club like Liverpool. It has such a fantastic history and I had some of the best times of my life there, Crouch told reporters.
We finished second and won the FA Cup but, at the time, (Fernando) Torres was playing up front on his own and it was difficult for me to stake a claim.
I had the opportunity to play games at Portsmouth. I was playing for Engl…
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho insists he has no intention of coaching a Bundesliga club during his career.
Pep Guardiola, recently appointed coach of Bayern Munich, had an intense rivalry with Mourinho while in charge of Barcelona between 2008 and 2012.
He will end his season-long sabbatical when he succeeds Jupp Heynckes at Allianz Arena before the start of next season.
In an interview with Rai Sport, Mourinho said Guardiola s switch to Germany does not concern him, nor does he intend to ever follow in his former rival s footsteps.
I have no comment to make, everyone is entitled to their choice, Mourinho said.
Has he deliberately chosen a league I am not involved in? I don t know. What is certain is that I will not manage in Germany.