Premier League action may have ground to a halt to allow for a round of international fixtures, but the English media machine continues to keep an eye on all things Manchester City.

John Stones leads the way in our compilation of today’s City-centric headlines, while there’s also quotes from Bacary Sagna and reports of a target in Portugal.

We begin with our centre-half, who’s been speaking to the media as part of his England duties from St George’s Park this week.

In Rory Pollard’s piece the 22-year-old discusses the similarities between working with Pep Guardiola and Three Lions boss, Gareth Southgate.

The Blues manager admitted after Sunday’s defeat that he is demanding of his defenders, but Stones told the Daily Mail he’s keen to learn all he can from the Catalan.

“(Guardiola) only speaks in team meetings or if he wants to tell you something individually,” he said.

“I think that’s a great quality as a manager, giving you little bits here and not flooding you with too many things.

“From my point of view he’s the best manager in the world and that’s why I wanted to work with him.

“Personally, I’ve learned so much and I’m trying to learn every day through the good times and the bad. That’s when you step up and be counted.

“I’ve found a solid base to work from and that’s down to the manager, the team, myself and the backroom staff.

“Hopefully I’ll continue moving in the right direction, listening to what the gaffer has to say and keep improving for club and country.”

Away from the international scene and our French full-back is already looking to the resumption of the Premier League and targeting a victory against his former club Arsenal.

In a story picked up by a host of newspapers, the Manchester Evening News carry the 34-year-old’s quotes as he looks ahead to a strong finish to the season.

“It’s going to be even more vital to come back after the break even stronger,” says Bacary in Stuart Brennan’s piece.

“We need to go to Arsenal and win the game because we want to be part of the Champions League again next season.

“It’s going to be difficult to catch Chelsea - it’s maybe too far now - but we want to be qualifying for the Champions League.

“We have to go and give a good performance, stick together and keep working hard.”

To today’s transfer rumour now and it’s to the airwaves rather than the back pages for this one.

City are looking to the Primeira Liga for reinforcements according to talkSPORT, who suggest the Blues are lining up a move for Benfica shot-stopper, Ederson.

“Manchester City have made contact with Benfica over a move for Ederson, according to reports in Portugal” reads the story.

“The goalkeeper has been on Pep Guardiola’s radar since December and City have been scouting him ever since.

“The 23-year-old, however, is unlikely to come cheap as Benfica want his £25m release-clause to be paid in full.”

That’s all your paper talk for today, Blues. Join us again for more of the same tomorrow!