Esteemed Kompany
·17 November 2024
Esteemed Kompany
·17 November 2024
The current international break appeared to come at the perfect time for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side looked weary and entered the break off the back of four consecutive defeats in all competitions. Manchester City’s injured players were allowed to rest over the past week. A host of City’s players should emerge from the international break fit and raring to go.
But off the pitch, two new reports suggest that City’s plans off the pitch are coming together. This period may be looked back upon as a pivotal period for the world champions both on and off the pitch.
First of all, a new report from Harry Pratt for the Mirror indicates that Manchester City are increasingly confident that Erling Haaland will sign a contract extension with the club. Pratt further reports that a lucrative pay rise is included in Haaland’s potential new deal. Furthermore, Pratt adds that a two-year extension to Haaland’s contract is in the works. The proposed contract extension for Haaland would see him remain at Manchester City until the 28/29 season. Lastly, Pratt adds that Erling Haaland and his team wish to keep a release clause in any contract extension. Pratt adds that raising Haaland’s release clause from £150 million to £200 million may seal the deal.
Secondly, Wayne Veysey has previously reported for Football Insider that a deal is close between Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. Veysey further reports that Guardiola will sign a one-year contract extension. Furthermore, Veysey adds that the deal is almost concluded and an official announcement is expected shortly.
In the scheme of Manchester City’s immediate future, this international break could prove to be pivotal. As mentioned at the top of the article the opportunity for City’s players to rest could prove to be critical in City’s season. The chances for the world champions players to rest are rare during the season. Based on the fact alone this break could prove to be decisive in City’s season.
Off the pitch, it appears that Manchester City’s plans are coming together. One of the biggest questions heading into the 24/25 season was whether this would be Pep Guardiola’s final season as City manager. Based on Wayne Veysey’s new report it appears that Guardiola is set to sign a one-year extension. That would be massive news for Manchester City. It would allow City to move on for the immediate future. A one-year extension for Guardiola would also remove the question marks surrounding his future and give the club the clarity they need. The hope is that it is only a matter of time before Guardiola puts pen to paper on a contract extension.
Manchester City’s confidence in securing a contract extension for Erling Haaland is also a huge boost for the club. Based on Pratt’s report it appears to only be a matter of time before Haaland commits his future to the club. That would be another huge boost for the world champions. Haaland is arguably the best striker in world football. He is also a massive business for Manchester City off the pitch. In an era where revenue is king securing Haaland’s future is a boost both on and off the pitch. The hope is that a contract extension with Haaland is wrapt up in the immediate future to give Haaland and Manchester City peace of mind going forward.
There was always the chance that this international break could have been crucial to Manchester City’s season and future. The way it is playing out it could be the perfect international break from a Manchester City point of view. Rest for City’s players could prove crucial going forward. If the new reports are proven to be correct and Guardiola and Haaland do sign contract extensions it may be looked back upon as a pivotal time in City’s immediate future. Time will reveal the answer to that question but the signs are positive based on what has been reported over the weekend.