Manchester City might see their pursuit of West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta fall by means of after the participant was reportedly caught up in a betting investigation. But the Citizens could not want the Brazil worldwide in any case after 4 stars shone throughout their 1-0 Premier League victory over Newcastle on Saturday evening.

Paqueta has impressed within the Premier League since shifting to West Ham final summer time and gave the impression to be on the verge of securing an £80million transfer to the Etihad Stadium. But, in line with Sky Sports, the FA and FIFA have opened an investigation after bets in Brazil had been positioned on the 25-year-old getting booked in matches.

The switch might nonetheless occur if the difficulty is cleared up shortly. But City supervisor Pep Guardiola could must as a substitute flip to the gamers he already has at his disposal this season.

City have misplaced a complete host of gamers this summer time and look to have been weakened in sure areas of the pitch. They have additionally been hit with the news that influential midfielder Kevin de Bruyne might miss the subsequent 4 months after injuring his hamstring. But Guardiola might be happy with what he noticed from Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez towards Newcastle, whereas Rodri and Kyle Walker additionally shone.

Foden ran the present at occasions towards the Magpies as he appeared to obtain the ball in house, open his physique up and get his facet shifting in the precise course. He was a category above his Newcastle counterparts and took the chance to dictate play each time he might. The England star teed-up Alvarez for the one objective of the evening and mixed properly with Erling Haaland time and time once more.

Foden has proven he can play in a deeper central midfield function in addition to on the wing and can show to be a key participant within the coming months. This might lastly be the 23-year-old’s season to star for the Citizens week in week out.

Alvarez, in the meantime, took his alternative properly within the first half and was a livewire all through the competition. The ahead could be behind Haaland within the City pecking order - however he has illustrated that he can play alongside the Norwegian and might ship when referred to as upon.

Rodri’s affect on the Citizens staff isn't doubtful. The Spain worldwide popped up with a objective and an help on the opening evening of the season as City defeated Burnley final Friday. And the midfielder was in high quality type as soon as once more towards Newcastle as he refused to offer the guests a sniff. Rodri helped City restrict Eddie Howe’s staff in entrance of objective and stored the ball properly in possession.

Elsewhere, Walker impressed on the precise facet of defence and was additionally given the license to float inside to assist the City midfield. With gamers like Walker and left-back Manuel Akanji capable of roam into the centre of the pitch, there isn’t a lot hazard of the City midfield getting overrun this season.

City’s win didn’t come simple towards a tenacious Newcastle facet. But Guardiola might properly really feel he has sufficient high quality in his squad with out dipping into the switch market to win loads of silverware as soon as once more this season. Foden may be the like-for-like De Bruyne alternative he wants.