Crues boss: we won’t sell star Whyte on the cheap
MANCHESTER City’s record run of 18 straight Premier League wins came to a painful halt at Crystal Palace, where a late Ederson penalty save earned a 0-0 draw to ensure they remain defeated.
But injuries to Gabriel Jesus and this season’s top player, Kevin de Bruyne, were of more concern to boss Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola confirmed last night that Jesus will be out for just over a month and that De Bruyne is likely to miss the home game against Watford tomorrow.
De Bruyne was the victim of a poor foul from Jason Puncheon late in the game and, although his injury may not be as bad as initially feared given that he left Selhurst Park without the need for crutches, Guardiola said they would know for certain todday.
“Gabriel will be out for a little more than one month, we hope,” Guardiola said. “Kevin we will see on Monday. Maybe he will not be ready for Watford game in two days.”
Runaway Premier League leaders City are now 14 points clear of second placed Chelsea and 15 ahead of faltering Manchester rivals United. But Guardiola now potentially has a greater selection issue in attack than at any point this season, especially with David Silva still out due to personal reasons.
“He will be ready, he will be back, but personal life is always more important than any situation.”
West Brom snatched a vital point in a 1-1 home draw with Arsenal in yesterday’s later game.
FULL REPORTS: Page 48-49 CRUSADERS manager Stephen Baxter has warned any clubs thinking about making a move for his wing wizard Gavin Whyte to put up or shut up.
Whyte (below), whose deflected winner dealt another significant blow to Linfield’s title defence at Windsor Park on Saturday, is arguably the best player in the Danske Bank Premiership on current form and if he keeps producing the magic his career could move to a higher level.
Cross channel scouts are monitoring the 21-year-old’s progress but Baxter isn’t interested in speculation or any clubs threatening to waste his time.
“Gavin deserves to play at a higher level but I can’t as a manager walk into another club, hand pick a player and say I’ll have him,” said the Crues boss.
“We are not having any clubs make derisory offers and unsettling the player, perhaps offering a third of what I’m offering an Irish League player to sign.
“If you go to the shops and like the diamond ring you buy it, if you don’t, don’t buy it.
“We are trying to be professional and win things without having unsettled players.
“Clubs interested in any of my players should be serious about it and not waste my time.”