The press have shared their views on individual and collective showings, with several names impressing, and as always, there’s also a snippet of transfer gossip to ponder over...
Opinion
Manchester Evening News: Pep Guardiola might have already solved two more of Man City’s problems
Charlotte Duncker: “Man City lost to Wolves on penalties on Shanghai but Pep Guardiola will have learned a lot from the performance.
“Guardiola went for experience over youth in his second starting XI of the tour. While the first selection against West Ham was made up of a 50/50 mix it was only Adrian Bernabe and Ian Poveda who were given their second starts of the tour against Wolves.
“The two teenagers fitted in seamlessly with their more experienced teammates with Bernabe setting up Raheem Sterling in the opening minute of the game.
“Poveda wasn’t afraid to take players on and caused problems for Wolves down the wing, a teenager not lacking in confidence.
“Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Lukas Nmecha were given more minutes in the second half and Guardiola handed 17-year-old Ben Knight his debut making it another good night for the youngsters on tour.
The Daily Mail: Leading light Kevin De Bruyne is making up for lost time as Manchester City set sights on third successive Premier League title
Jack Gaughan: “When Kevin De Bruyne honestly admitted he ‘felt like a fan’ watching Manchester City from the stands last season, it was hard not to feel for him. It was a line delivered with real feeling.
“De Bruyne is a proud man and has returned to the City fold with a desire to make up for lost time.
“He has re-found that menace, the edge and competitiveness that makes him such a special player.
“Pep Guardiola has his fulcrum back and the City manager has noticed similarities with the possessed De Bruyne who drove the club to their first title under the Catalan in 2017.
“De Bruyne is also looking increasingly like a leader, too. City will not decide on Vincent Kompany’s successor as captain until the days before the Community Shield against Liverpool but De Bruyne is definitely a major part of the conversation.”
Metro: Manchester City squad ‘blown away’ by Taylor Harwood-Bellis on club’s pre-season tour
Sean Kearns: “Manchester City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis has made a strong impression on the club’s pre-season tour of Asia with senior members of the squad said to be ‘blown away’ by the 17-year-old.
“The teenager made his first start for the club in a 4-1 win against West Ham on Wednesday and was the only City player to be given a full 90 minutes in Shanghai.
“Harwood-Bellis was paired with Aymeric Laporte in the first half and John Stones after the interval but didn’t look out of place as Pep Guardiola’s men hit the ground running in pre-season.
“The centre-back joined City at the age of eight and captained England’s U17s at the recent European Championships.
“At 6ft2in Harwood-Bellis possesses the physicality to make the step-up to Premier League football but it’s his ability in possession that has surprised members of Guardiola’s squad.
“The teenager has been schooled in City’s academy and his confidence in bringing the ball out from the back has impressed the rest of the City squad.”
Transfer gossip
Daily Star: Man City eye Real Madrid ace but Florentino Perez will only consider deal on one condition
Sam Meade: “Manchester City are weighing up a move for Isco in this transfer window despite his €80m (£72m) asking price.
“Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is in the process of revamping his squad at the Bernabeu.
“More than €300m (£270m) has been spent on the latest set of Galacticos, but that has meant several players must make way.
“Zidane though is keen to see Isco stay put as he believes he can help the 27-year-old rediscover his best form, reports Spanish publication El Confidencial.
“City though believe Isco can fit perfectly into their team’s philosophy under Pep Guardiola.
“And while Madrid have closed the door on him leaving it is understood Perez would think twice were a bid of €80m (£72m) to arrive.”
