Pep Guardiola has been left fuming after defender Kyle Walker came back from England camp injured following the Three Lions two most recent Nations League fixtures.
Walker was one of multiple Manchester City players who travelled to St George’s Park for international duty but he’s the only one of Guardiola’s squad who has unfortunately returned with a knee issue.
The 34-year-old fullback wasn’t fit for the game against Wolves at the weekend after picking up the knock in the win over Finland and while the severity of the injury isn’t thought to be anything too serious, the manager has been left very frustrated.
Speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference ahead of Man City’s Champions League match against AC Sparta Praha, Pep began by saying “Never [have I been] so angry, never was I so disappointed.”
🗣️ "Never so angry"
After Kyle Walker returned injured from England duty, Pep Guardiola revealed last season's injury to John Stones before City's Real Madrid clash left him fuming…
The Catalan coach insisted he knows that no one wants to get injured but reiterated that picking up a problem as a result of a ‘friendly’ simply “cannot happen.”
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The 53-year-old went on to previous instances in which both Sunday’s match-winner John Stones and, most recently, the still-injured Nathan Ake have returned to training far from 100% after playing for the national team, sometimes before a crucial club game.
Although Nations League games are not technically friendlies – England are actually now in the second tier following the Euro 2024 final loss – the competition admittedly isn’t quite valued like the other major tournaments and was more created as a way to make the international break more interesting.
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Regardless, while Pep assures he always encourages his players to represent their country, he did take issue with the current lack of communication before players are called up.
“Before when I was a player, the national manager called the club manager but now nobody talks,” said Pep, “For the first or second season with Gareth [Southgate] but not since.”
City take on Sparta Praha in the UCL at 8pm on Wednesday night but will have to do without the experience of Kyle Walker in the meantime.
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Nevertheless, England youngster and academy graduate Rico Lewis has been thriving ever since he broke into the side and will no doubt be more than a sufficient stand-in until the right-back returns to full fitness. Elsewhere, midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne is said to be getting closer to a comeback.
You can watch Pep’s presser in full down below:
You can hear a fuming Pep discussing Walker getting injured, De Bruyne’s progress and more.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
Sport
Manchester City release limited-edition Blossoms shirts exclusively in new flagship store
Daisy Jackson
Manchester City have released a limited run of special Blossoms shirts, which will be available exclusively at the new flagship City Store.
Etihad Airways has donated the front-of-shirt space for the special drop, which celebrates the Stockport band’s lifelong support of Man City and will fundraise forCity in the Community’s 40th anniversary.
The Manchester City x Blossoms collab features the band’s logo across the chest of the 2024/25 season’s away shirt – one of the Club’s most popular designs in recent years.
Profits from sales of the shirts will be donated to CITC to support its 40th anniversary fundraising, which empower healthier lives with city youth through football.
Blossoms have just secured their fifth UK number one album with their latest release, ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’, and will soon be heading on an arena tour that includes two massive shows at the Co-op Live.
There’s a very limited run of the Man City Blossoms shirts, available in sizes small to large, which will exclusively be sold at the new flagship CityStore.
The shirts have dropped in-store this morning, with further drops to be released around the band’s tour dates this November and December.
As for that new City store – it’s a whopping 21,000 sq ft, three-floor space at Medlock Square, right beside the Etihad Stadium, and is the biggest shop in the club’s history.
The new flagship has opened today in collaboration with PUMA and Stichd, and features a new, interactive ‘Make It Yours’ customisation station as well as an expanded range of Manchester City products.
Danny Jones -
23rd October 2024 
