Elsewhere, a former City shot-stopper comments on a current custodian, while there’s also word from Sunday’s opposition.
ESPN are the outlet to compare the Catalan to the legendary City boss, as Simon Curtis takes a look back at the characters that comprise the Blues’ managerial history.
Of Guardiola and Allison he writes: “The man entrusted with the latest chapter in this long-running soap opera is often seen as a unique genius, not one easily pigeon-holed with anyone else.
“Indeed Guardiola’s background, influences and style of play tend to mark him out as a trailblazer rather than the second coming of anyone else.
“His insistence on tactical rigour, flexibility and pushing the boundaries does, however, draw a clear parallel with Allison, a coach revered as ahead of his time for trying to instil the skills and ideas of the famous Hungarian national side of the mid-1950s into a humdrum domestic football scene.”
Meanwhile, Arni Arason – in between the sticks for the famous FA Cup comeback against Spurs – has high hopes for .
Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News has this story, in which the Icelandic ‘keeper explains his confidence in the Brazilian’s ability.
“He’s still young, he has to adapt to the Premier League but I think he can be fantastic for City,” said Arason.
“It will be exciting to see him. He seems a pretty complete goalkeeper.
“He’s 23, he has his best years in front of him so I’m looking forward to following him.”
The new campaign begins at Brighton on Sunday and fresh from a friendly with Atletico Madrid, the Seagulls’ midfielder, Steve Sidwell, feels he knows what to expect from City.
He told the West Sussex Gazette: “The boys did well in patches and it was good preparation for what’s going to be a tough game this week.
“It was near enough what we’re going to come up against, technically-wise, this week.
“They pick up these good positions in pockets, attack at pace and that’s exactly what Manchester City are going to do.”
