All the top teams vying for the title are coming into the tournament to face tough competition.
Browsing: kevin de bruyne
Centre back Dias was named England’s Footballer of the Year in the annual vote of the Football Writers’ Association last month following a superb debut campaign after his move from Benfica last year.
The announcement also included the nominations for the women’s prize, as well as the best young players and team of the season for both men and women.
De Bruyne was in floods of tears as he had to be substituted in the 60th minute of the game in Porto before City slumped to a 1-0 defeat to miss out on the club’s first ever European success.
The prize money was increased to £180 million after the Premier League’s broadcasting deals from 2019-20 season.
Dias has made 31 top-flight appearances for Pep Guardiola’s triumphant side after joining for a club-record £65 million from Benfica last September.
The Brazilian claimed he was ready to “die on the pitch”.
The Premier League leaders were stung by an early Marquinhos goal as the hosts dominated the first half of a high-quality encounter at the Parc des Princes.
The club’s talisman, who scored the opener during Tuesday’s 2-1 win against Borussia Dortmund, has been conducting talks himself alongside two lawyers.
City took a 19th minute lead with a classic counter-attacking move finished off by Kevin De Bruyne after Dortmund’s former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can had given the ball away on the halfway line.
Pep Guardiola’s players are sweeping all before them this season, having reached the final of the English League Cup, the quarterfinals of the Champions League and forged a 14-point lead in the Premier League.
Both games were played in Budapest because of mandatory coronavirus quarantine for people arriving in Germany from Britain
The visitors crushed Southampton 5-2 at the Etihad in their most recent outing, while Fulham claimed a historic win on the Anfield turf over reigning champions Liverpool.
City’s English top-flight record run came to an end against Manchester United on Sunday.
Ruben Dias and John Stones – whose defensive partnership has formed the bedrock of City’s record breaking run – were both on target either side of Michail Antonio’s strike at the Etihad.
Ahead of City’s FA Cup fourth-round tie away to Cheltenham this Sunday, the City boss provided an update on De Bruyne.
Phil Foden also netted in the first half as 2019 winners City began their latest cup quest with a routine victory at the Etihad Stadium.
The empty stands no doubt played a part in the 183rd Manchester derby lacking bite and intensity, nine months on from a packed crowd roaring their side to victory in what proved to be the last Old Trafford match with supporters.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who thrashed Burnley 5-0 last week, could easily have won by a bigger scoreline on a comfortable afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.
The result lifted City into fourth place on 18 points from 10 games while Fulham, who suffered a 10th straight defeat to their rivals in all competitions, stayed 17th on seven points from 11 matches, just outside the relegation zone.