City look to tie-up shirt deal
PAUL HETHERINGTON MANCHESTER CITY are in line to become the next Premier League club to secure a mega-bucks kit deal.
They currently bank £12million each season from Nike and there are three years remaining on that deal.
But that figure is dwarfed by neighbours Manchester United’s £75m-a-year deal with adidas.
And City have also seen Chelsea land a whopping £900m contract over 15 years with Nike, who will become their kit suppliers at the end of next season.
So The Etihad club are already looking ahead and know that their replica shirt sales of 370,000 last year, the fourth highest in the Premier League, makes them an attractive proposition.
Under Armour, major rivals of Nike, are eyeing the situation at City.
They supply Tottenham, who are expected to switch to Nike next year on a deal worth £25m a season.
There is a chance, though, that City could also renegotiate an improved deal with their current suppliers.
When it comes to matters on the pitch, meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has been hailed as one of the two most important people in football in the last 50 years. That is the view of Barcelona legend Xavi.
And his opinion has not been shaken by City’s recent troubles. Xavi might not expect his former boss (above) to lead City to a win against Barca on Tuesday but he does predict that Guardiola will change English football for the better.
The Spain legend, now in Qatar with Al Sadd, said: “Besides Johan Cruyff, Pep is the most important person in football in the last 50 years.
“He has a way of understanding football which is unique. He lets you understand how the play progresses.
“He changed the way of defending by attacking. It is a different and very specific way of understanding football.
“If there is someone who can make a change to English football it is Pep.
“I’m sure City will play great football and he will influence the players there.
“You can already see that through the attractive football. I’m in love with Barcelona but City are great.”
Xavi, a key member of the Barca team under Guardiola which won three La Ligas and two Champions Leagues, also has a warning for the City players.
He said: “I remember Pep saying that he wouldn’t tolerate a player not working hard.”