Skipper: Leave Sanchez alone
Manchester City have spent heavily in the summer to strengthen an already powerful squad and midfielder Raheem Sterling says winning the Premier League is the top priority.
City, who last won the title in 2014 and finished 15 points behind champions Chelsea last season, have added goalkeeper Ederson for £34.7 million, midfielder Bernardo Silva for £43 million and defender Kyle Walker for £50 million.
Sterling said all the pieces were in place for a title run.
“We need to be winning trophies; we need to be getting that Premier League title back,” he told the club’s website.
“For me, that’s the most important thing – to be the best team in England and we’ve already made some fantastic signings this summer that will only strengthen an already strong squad.”
City will begin their pre-season campaign against Manchester United in the United States on Thursday in the International Champions Cup. “We’ve made sure we put the work in during the off period – our runs and our exercises – to come back ready for pre-season and we’ve been working hard all last week,” Sterling said.
“We want to be firing from the first minute. Pre-season will be tough but we’re really looking forward to it, especially playing Man United in the States.
“It will be an amazing experience and as always, a tough game against them.”
City will also face Spanish champions Real Madrid and last season’s Premier League runners-up Tottenham Hotspur on their US tour. –
Sevilla signed Spanish international winger Nolito from Manchester City, the La Liga club announced on Sunday.
The 30-year-old, who only joined City from Celta Vigo a year ago, moved for a reported fee of €9 million and has signed a three-year contract.
“Nolito is with Sevilla for the next three seasons, until June 2020,” the club said in a statement on their website.
Nolito has scored six international goals in 16 appearances, but struggled to nail down a regular first-team place under City coach Pep Guardiola last term.
– Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez (above) should be left alone to decide his future, captain Per Mertesacker has said, as speculation continues to mount over the Chilean’s future.
Sanchez, who was their top scorer last season with 24 league goals in 38 matches, is entering the final year of his contract.
“He needs a break now,” Mertesacker told reporters during the club’s pre-season tour. “He has done a lot for us. He played almost every game last season and then the Confederations Cup.
“You need to leave him alone to make up his own mind. It’s his decision. If he feels good, comfortable, he can play with freedom.”
Mertesacker is entering the final season of his playing career at Arsenal as he prepares to become the club’s academy manager next year and the German is eager to finish on a high.
“I want to make the most of it,” he told the club’s website. “I want to stay injury free, be an option for the manager to get picked every weekend. That’s the target. To make it as enjoyable as I can.
“As long as I am there I want to play and contribute.”
Arsenal won both their pre-season friendlies in Australia and are currently in China, where they will play German champions Bayern Munich tomorrow and Premier League champions Chelsea on Saturday. –