Everything feels a bit weird at the Etihad right now. You’d think a team that just put ten goals past Exeter City in the FA Cup would be all smiles, but there’s this lingering, heavy cloud hanging over East Manchester. It’s the "115" cloud. Or is it 130? Honestly, the numbers keep shifting depending on who you talk to.
If you’re looking for manchester city football club news now, the biggest headline isn't actually a result on the pitch. It’s the silence. We are officially in January 2026, and we still don’t have a verdict on the most seismic legal battle in the history of the Premier League. Pep Guardiola is clearly fed up. He’s out here giving five-word retorts to reporters, basically telling everyone that the independent commission "must be busy."
It’s kind of hilarious if you think about it. The Premier League has reportedly spent over £200 million on legal fees, there are 50,000 pieces of evidence to sort through, and we’re all just sitting here waiting for a white smoke signal that never comes.
The Treatment Room is Crowded
But look, life goes on. While the lawyers argue over spreadsheets from 2009, Pep has actual football problems. The injury list is starting to look like a medical textbook.
Ruben Dias is out. Hamstring. Again. Guardiola confirmed he’s looking at four to six weeks on the sidelines, which means he’s likely missing the massive run-in through February. Then you’ve got Josko Gvardiol, who suffered a tibial fracture against Chelsea. That one is nasty. He’s had surgery, but nobody really knows when he’s coming back—some are whispering April, which is a huge blow for a team that relies so heavily on his ability to carry the ball out of defense.
✨ Don't miss: When Was the MLS Founded? The Chaotic Truth About American Soccer's Rebirth
And don't even get me started on John Stones. It’s the same old story with him, unfortunately. He hasn't touched the grass since that wild 5-4 win over Fulham back in December. Pep sounds genuinely sad when he talks about Stones lately, calling him "not fit" despite the player "trying everything." It feels like the squad is held together by sticky tape and the brilliance of the academy kids.
Speaking of kids, have you seen Max Alleyne? With the defensive crisis hitting a breaking point, Pep recalled him from his loan at Watford. The 20-year-old is suddenly the "next big thing" by default, but he’s actually looked solid. It’s that classic City thing—lose a £60m defender, plug in a teenager who plays like he’s thirty.
Manchester City Football Club News Now: The Transfer Dilemma
The January window is open, and for once, City actually look like they need to spend. Usually, they just buy for the sake of "evolution," but right now it’s about survival.
The big name on everyone’s lips is Antoine Semenyo. Bournemouth want £65 million. Is he worth it? City are debating whether they need a "powerful and direct" winger like him or another "skilful and intricate" type in the Foden mold. With Savinho out for the next month with a quad injury and Oscar Bobb still sidelined, the attacking depth is thinner than it’s been in years.
🔗 Read more: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
There’s also the Marc Guéhi situation. His contract at Crystal Palace is winding down, and City are apparently "sniffing around" alongside Liverpool and Arsenal. It makes sense. If Stones and Dias can't stay on the pitch, you need a proven Premier League center-back who can lead.
Current Standings and the Title Race
Despite the chaos, City are still right there.
- Arsenal: 49 points (21 games)
- Manchester City: 43 points (21 games)
- Aston Villa: 43 points (21 games)
Yeah, you read that right. Unai Emery’s Villa are level with City. It’s a three-horse race, and Arsenal look frighteningly consistent. City have been drawing too many games lately—the 1-1 against Brighton and the 1-1 with Chelsea being the main culprits. They’re dominating possession (usually around 60%), but they aren't killing teams off.
In Europe, things are a bit smoother. They’re sitting 4th in the Champions League league phase with 13 points from 6 games. They’ll qualify for the knockouts easily, but the "invincible" aura definitely took a hit after that loss to Bayern.
💡 You might also like: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
Will He Stay or Will He Go?
The biggest piece of manchester city football club news now that nobody wants to talk about is Pep’s future. His contract runs until 2027, but David Ornstein recently dropped a bit of a bombshell suggesting Pep could actually walk at the end of this season.
He looks "reinvigorated," sure. But he also looks tired. The club is already making contingency plans, with Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca (a former Pep assistant) being mentioned as a potential successor. It feels like the end of an era is approaching, regardless of what the legal verdict says.
The delay in the 115 charges case might actually be a blessing in disguise for Pep. It keeps the focus on the "now." If the verdict comes down and it’s bad, the narrative becomes about his legacy being tarnished. As long as the case is "ongoing," he can just keep coaching and winning trophies.
What to Watch Next
If you’re following City over the next fortnight, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- The Newcastle Rematch: City lead 2-0 after the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. They need to professionalize the second leg to secure another trip to Wembley.
- The Semenyo Trigger: Watch the Bournemouth team sheets. If Semenyo starts getting "protected," it means Txiki Begiristain has picked up the phone.
- The Injury Return of Rayan Ait-Nouri: He’s back from AFCON but missed the last game due to a cancelled flight. His return at left-back will be huge for balancing the defense.
Basically, it's business as usual at the Etihad, which is to say it’s absolute chaos masked by world-class football. Keep your eyes on the team sheets and your ears open for the lawyers. One of them is going to decide the league title.