Monday’s media round-up also gathers the thoughts of Phil Foden ahead of England’s quest for European Under-21 Championship glory as well as a fascinating World Cup insight from City and England striker Ellen White as the build-up intensifies ahead of the Lionesses’ final group game against Japan on Wednesday.
But we begin with the Sun who claim that City are pondering a move for experienced La Liga goalkeeper Asier Riesgo to help bolster the Club’s goalkeeping department.
According to the Sun’s Mike McGrath: “Eibar goalkeeper Asier Riesgo has reportedly emerged as a surprise transfer target for Manchester City.
“The veteran is available on a free transfer after spending the last four years at Eibar, making a total of 65 league appearances during that period.
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“And Riesgo is seen as the perfect keeper to come in and add experienced back-up after his 18 years as a pro in Spain.
“He started at Real Sociedad where he worked closely with current City goalkeeper coach Xabier Mancisidor, who has given the move his seal of approval.”
Meanwhile, the Guardian carries a fascinating interview with City’s teenage attacking midfielder Phil Foden ahead of the European Under-21 showpiece which gets underway in Italy today.
Guardian scribe Andy Hunter writes: “It was at the Under-17s World Cup in 2017 that Foden announced his vast potential to a wider audience with two goals in the final over Spain and a string of impressive displays that earned him the Golden Ball.
“He sees parallels between the quality and balance of that squad and Aidy Boothroyd’s Under 21s here in Italy but believes success at the Euros represents a more formidable challenge.
“I’m sure it will be even harder to win this tournament because there are stronger teams and a lot of better players,” Foden says.
“I’m excited to get going and see how it goes. There are better players who are a lot older and more experienced so it will be harder [than the Under-17s World Cup].
“To win takes a lot of heart and desire, especially when you get into the later stages and you’re playing the same team, but you haven’t got the legs.
You’ve just got to use your mind and heart and pull through it. A lot of heart and determination have to be used.”
Finally, there are rousing and passionate words from England’s Ellen White who has penned a first-person piece for theFA.com ahead of the Lionesses’ final World Cup Group B clash against Japan later this week.
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The experienced striker, who has recently joined City, writes: “It means everything to be a Lioness.
It’s a real privilege for me to play for my country, to be among this group of players and this group of staff.
“This is my third World Cup and it’s even better than my first. To play in a World Cup is what has driven me every day. It’s why I train hard, why I work hard.
“Hopefully people can see how much passion and how much enthusiasm I have for playing for my country. Hopefully that comes across on the pitch. I’m a team player. I want to win and I want to help drive this team forward.
“We work so hard every day to make the country proud and we will do everything we can to keep that going throughout this World Cup and beyond.”
