SAINTS WANT ADAM BACK
Foden: We’re obsessed with beating Real
PHIL FODEN has warned that Manchester City have become obsessed with beating Real Madrid in the Champions League.
City host Real in the return leg of their last-16 showdown on August 7, holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg before lockdown. It promises to be one of the biggest games in the club’s recent history.
Pep Guardiola’s men conceded the title to Liverpool months ago and crashed out of the FA Cup semi-finals to Arsenal last weekend.
Guardiola has refused to give his stars a break once the league season is completed this Sunday and vowed to put them through a boot camp in preparation for the visit of Zinedine Zidane’s La Liga champions.
Foden said everything is geared up to beating the Spanish giants to keep alive the club’s hopes of conquering Europe for the first time.
He said: “We’ve got a lot of time before that game, so we have to work hard in training and try to prepare for it as best we can.
“It’s really good if all the attacking players are scoring and assisting, leading up to that game. It feels like everyone can score when they see the goal and that’s the level we set in our team.
“We are fully prepared for that game, but we have to keep working hard.
“It’s going to be a massive game for this club so hopefully we can get over the line.
“Our mindset is on Real Madrid and we are going to do everything we can to prepare right. Hopefully on the day we turn up with a good performance.”
Foden is in the form of his life after plundering eight goals in what has been his breakthrough season with City.
But the rising star of English football added: “I’m not sure what’s behind it.
“I’ve been going well, finding the net – I’m happy with it.
“Every year I try to get my stats higher in terms of goals and assists. I just wanted to improve from last season.
“And luckily I’ve done that in terms of both.
“I’m full of confidence and I’d like to keep that level.”
SOUTHAMPTON hope to replace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg by bringing Adam Lallana back to St Mary’s.
Hojbjerg is expected to complete a £25million move to Everton in the next few days, though Tottenham are still interested.
And Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl wants Lallana, a free agent when his contract at Liverpool runs out at the end of the week, to fill the gap.
Lallana, 32, left Saints for Anfield in July 2014 in a £25m deal. Southampton face competition for him from Brighton, Leicester and Burnley.
Hasenhuttl, whose side have had an impressive end to the season, will also try to make Kyle Walker-Peters’ loan move from Spurs permanent.
LEROY SANE has denied having a bust-up with Pep Guardiola after turning his back on Manchester City.
The Germany winger (right) joined Bayern Munich in a £55million deal after refusing to sign a new Etihad contract.
Sane penned a five-year deal worth an estimated £300,000 a week with the
Foden says City are aiming to see off Real after beating them in Madrid (below)
SANE: NO PEP RIFT
Bundesliga giants. City were desperate to keep Sane but he insists he did not fall out with Guardiola. He said: “Our relationship is good. There was never a point when one was tired of the other. I’m grateful for everything he taught me.
“It wasn’t easy for me to leave. But I wanted to do something new.”