There’s also plenty of press speculation on Gabriel Jesus’ injury but until the Club’s medical team release a further official update, we’ll swerve the guesswork of several journalists predicting various amounts of time out for the Brazilian.
So we’ll begin with Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer.
Quoted in the Daily Mail, the Germany No.1 says he’s flattered to be linked with City and that Pep Guardiola has his number – though there has been no contact.
Report the Mail: “Manuel Neuer has welcomed being linked with a move to Manchester City – but says there has been no contact from the Premier League club.
“The Germany and Bayern Munich No 1 has been linked with a move to The Etihad to link up with former boss Pep Guardiola after Claudio Bravo has been dropped to the bench in recent games.
“Neuer – widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world – insists he is happy at the Allianz Arena but is flattered to be linked with a move to City.
“He said: ‘There was no contact and, as you know, I’m happy and satisfied here and I’ve just extended my contract, actually.
‘I’m glad that there’s speculation and talk about it. Pep still has my phone number but he hasn’t called me, so everything is alright.’
There’s more opinion pieces on Pep’s post-match words for Bournemouth’s Harry Arter today, too.
None better, however, than Ned Payne in the Bournemouth Echo on the lasting impression the City boss left with the Cherries players and fans on Monday night.
He writes: “When Harry Arter saw Pep Guardiola approaching after the final whistle of Monday’s defeat to Manchester City, he probably expected little more than a pat on the back and a cursory compliment.
“What he got was much more heartfelt and touching. It was, in many ways, a moment to rival the enduring image of Cherries boss Eddie Howe embracing an emotional Arter during the closing stages of the victory over Manchester United in December 2015.
“A bit of context. Guardiola took the helm at City last summer following glittering, trophy-laden spells at Bayern Munich and Barcelona. The Spaniard had never managed in England before and it is not unthinkable – and this is in no way intended to be disrespectful – that he would not have heard of Arter prior to this season.
“That he knew not only of the midfielder and partner Rachel’s tragic loss of stillborn daughter Renee but also that the couple were expecting any day now, and chose to approach and congratulate him showed the class of the man.
“Beyond the fact the pair had twice this season occupied the same football stadium, there was no other connection. Guardiola had no reason to do what he did beyond mere kindness.
“The Sky cameras picked up the moment but they could easily not have done. Guardiola would probably have preferred it if they had not.
“Arter admitted afterwards that it had been ‘an unbelievable touch’ which he had ‘respected and accepted with a smile on my face.’
There’s more and it’s well worth a read in full.
Nigerian website The Sun News Online believe Gabriel Jesus’ misfortune could present a fresh opportunity for Kelechi Iheanacho who has found first team chances hard to come by of late.
They write: “Iheanacho had been frozen out of City squad since Jesus made his debut, with manager Pep Guardiola favouring the Brazilian ahead of the Nigeria international and Sergio Aguero whose future with the Citizens remains uncertain after being relegated to the bench.
“It is envisaged that the Super Eagles rising star will be included in the 18-man squad for subsequent matches as the Spanish coach is expected to revert to status quo following the injury-enforced absence of Jesus having earlier assured angry fans that Iheanacho still has a role to play in the club’s fight for the title.”
Finally, the Manchester Evening News’ Stuart Brennan has written a nice piece on David Silva this morning.
Any City fan will tell you ‘El Mago’ can do no wrong and that exquisite piece of skill against Bournemouth on Monday night is also highlighted.
Here’s a snippet: “Silva has been a constant for the Blues, never putting in less than 100 per cent, even if that was occasionally not good enough.
“Most players hide, either consciously or subconsciously, on those days when nothing goes right, but Silva has never done that.
“He still wants the ball, often in the tightest of fixes, always believing that his next pass will be the one that turns his game, and the flow of the match, around.
“One moment against Bournemouth summed him up, as he controlled a ball that was dropping, and spinning, from the dark skies, and turned away from an attentive would-be tackler, all in one beautiful movement.
“The fans sing ‘Ole, ole, David Silva ole’ - and in another universe he could be a toreador, stylishly stepping away from bullish Premier League defenders, and taking the blows before coming back for more.
“Silva has been plagued by an ankle problem in recent years, which has at times affected his game – but he looks like a new player under Pep Guardiola, and with the pace and movement of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus feeding off his astute football awareness.
“He could continue in that role for years, and City will be all the better for it.”
We’ll be back with more of the same tomorrow morning…
