Manuel Pellegrini’s men are back in International Champions Cup action tomorrow night against Olympiakos in Minneapolis but leading New York circular, NY Daily News, is still examining the impact of Wednesday night’s match on football enthusiasts in the city. Especially as far as City’s sister club NYCFC is concerned.
With City Football Group breaking new sporting ground in launching the first MLS team to play in the five boroughs, sports reporter Justin Tasch ponders just how successful NYCFC will be in drawing a crowd to the Yankee Stadium for the big kick-off in 2015.
“Behind the right-center (sic) field bleachers Wednesday in Yankee Stadium, where the Bleacher Creatures normally patrol and perform their roll call at the start of Yankees games, a sky-blue banner with white lettering said "Welcome to the home of New York City FC.”,” Tasch writes.
“When Manchester City played here a year ago against Chelsea, NYCFC had just been announced. This time the expansion MLS club is less than a year from beginning competition and has grabbed headlines with the superstar signings of David Villa and Frank Lampard.
...NY Daily News...
“The buzz for NYCFC is palpable, and local fans are buying in.
“Michael King, a 43-year-old Man City fan from Neptune, N.J., said he was a Red Bulls fan but is switching his allegiance.
“"Because I'm a Man City fan and I'm a Yankees fan," said King, who took his wife Heidi to Wednesday's match. "The fact that my Premier League club is buying an MLS team, I'm switching. I've already bought the gear."”
According to the Washington Post, more people attended the game on Wednesday than have been present at any New York Yankees baseball game this season, so the hunger for top level football in the Bronx looks like it’s there!
Meanwhile, there are quotes attributed to James Milner across many of the newspapers you’re waking up to.
The England international has allegedly told journalists that he wants to extend his deal at City… so long as he gets game time in the upcoming season.
“It’s a great club to be at,” Milner is quoted as saying in the Independent. “I enjoy every minute and winning trophies. But you do want to play as much as you can. The more I can play [then] that’s better for myself.
“Basically I want to be here as long as I’m playing. I love it here and hopefully I can be here for a long time to come.
...James Milner...
“I played a fair amount last year – maybe not as many [games] in the league as I would have liked, but I felt I contributed to the trophies I won.
“At the end of the season [if] you win trophies and you haven’t played as much as you wanted it can be frustrating. But that wasn’t the case last year.”
Elsewhere back on these shores, Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is reportedly keeping a close eye on Scott Sinclair’s excellent pre-season form.
The former Swansea winger has caught the eye with a string of fine performances ‘twixt Scotland and USA, leaving The Sun to speculate that Villa could make a move.
“Aston Villa are ready to make a move for Scott Sinclair,” the story reads.
“Boss Paul Lambert is looking for a winger and wants Chelsea's Victor Moses on loan. But, if he misses out on Moses, Lambert will turn to Manchester City's Sinclair, 25, who is available for £3m.”
Arsenal have been told transfer target Juan Quintero, 21, will only be allowed to leave Porto if the Colombian midfielder's £32m release clause is activated. Daily Express
Manchester United are closing in on a £20m move for Germany World Cup winner Mats Hummels, 25, with Borussia Dortmund hoping to replace the defender with Liverpool's 21-year-old Tiago Ilori in a loan deal. Daily Mirror
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed the Italian club's interest in Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 26, although he is not the only name on his list. Daily Telegraph
Liverpool are eyeing a double deal for Spanish defenders Alberto Moreno, 22, of Sevilla and Javier Manquillo, 20, of Atletico Madrid. Daily Star
West Ham have held contract talks with unattached former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o, 33, and are also considering a move for Besiktas's 30-year-old forward Hugo Almeida. Times (subscription required)
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is ready to bid £14m for Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa, 25, having already enquired about the availability of the Japan international. Daily Express
QPR have turned their attentions to 29-year-old Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, who ended last season on loan at West Brom. Their bid to sign Iceland striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, 24, from Ajax has stalled over personal terms. Daily Mail
Manchester City midfielder James Milner, 28, is keeping the club waiting over signing his new contract as he weighs up his future at the Premier League champions. Independent
West Brom are keen to sign Switzerland striker Haris Seferovic, 22, from Real Sociedad. Sun (subscription required)
Middlesbrough want to take Aston Villa full-back Matt Lowton, 25, on loan, while they have agreed a deal with Real Mallorca forward Emilio Nsue, 24. Daily Mail
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet says striker Connor Wickham, 21, could be sold if he does not sign a new contract. Sunderland Echo
Manchester United's Dutch manager Louis van Gaal, 62, has had HD cameras installed at the club's Carrington complex so he can analyse every detail of training. Daily Mirror
United defender Jonny Evans, 26, says the cameras are already being used on the club's tour of the United States: "The manager is saying: 'You should be five yards to the right.' We went though a video last night and I was 10 yards out." Daily Mail
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says he fully trusts Roy Keane and insists his new assistant manager is not a touchline bully. Daily Mirror
Reflecting on his Everton career ahead of his testimonial on Sunday, midfielder Leon Osman, 33, says it took time for his technical ability to be recognised. Guardian
Stoke boss Mark Hughes is hoping to get the best out of new signing Bojan Krkic by urging team-mates and fans to throw a caring arm around the 23-year-old forward. Daily Star
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 22, who is back at the club after spending three years on loan with Atletico Madrid, says he wants to learn from Petr Cech as the duo begin their battle for the number one spot. Daily Mail
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans believes this is a key time in his career as he looks to step up as the senior centre-back following the exits of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Guardian
Now why doesn't this one surprise us!!
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has placed a special You'll Never Walk Alone wreath at the 9/11 memorial site in New York during the club's pre-season tour. Liverpool Echo
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