Manchester City
Man City signing Zinchenko’s 23-year-old compatriot would stabilise struggling defence
Why Manchester City should make a move for Mykola Matviyenko
According to The Athletic (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester City are eyeing a move for Ukrainian defender Mykola Matviyenko this month.
Matviyenko, 23, came through the ranks of Shakhtar Donetsk’s youth system and initially failed to breakthrough at the senior level. Later on, loan spells at Karpaty and Vorskla helped him gain confidence and since his return to his parent club, he has been a consistent member of the squad.
This season, he has been a regular under Luis Castro, playing in 14 Premier Liga games, and all of the six games in the Champions League group stages, including the two fixtures against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Meanwhile, City have almost lost the race to retain the Premier League title and are 14 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. They currently find themselves in 3rd place.
Their loss to Wolves last month has made it five losses for them in the ongoing campaign, a reminder that they have not been dominant like they were in the last two seasons.
One of the major reasons for their downfall has been their defensive struggles throughout the season. Guardiola failed to replace Vincent Kompany last summer and Aymeric Laporte’s ACL injury left them in shatters.
They leaked in goals at a consistent rate and their woes seem to continue without a solid partnership in the heart of the defence.
City are defensively weak, with John Stones’ inconsistency and Nicolas Otamendi’s error-prone nature has not convinced the manager to regularly make him start. A shaky backline has seen opponents humiliate Guardiola’s team, just like Wolves, who did it twice successively.
This area must be addressed by City’s manager as early as this month and Mykola Matviyenko would fit the bill perfectly. His contract with Shakhtar runs down at the end of 2021 season and he would cost the Etihad outfit less if they go for him.
The Ukrainian has taken great strides in his development and under the guidance of Guardiola, who is known to nurture young talents into future prospects, he can perfectly sharpen his skills each day.
He has the ability to play anywhere in the backline and this versatility would help the manager get the best out of him in difficult situations.
The 23-year-old is highly regarded within his club and a move to the Etihad Stadium would help him reconnect with his national teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is also a quality player with huge talent under his belt.
Read more
- Why Manchester City should sign Guaita as a back-up for Ederson
- Why Ben Chilwell to Manchester City would make no sense
- Why Ruben Dias would be a smart signing for Manchester City
Verdict
At 23, Matviyenko may not have established himself at one of the bests but he can surely grow to become a crucial member for City given his talent and potential. His international experience would certainly help him in his development.
Therefore, City must go all out to secure his services and if guided in the right direction, the Saky-born talent can represent the Cityzens in the long run.
Sam Coffey has officially joined Manchester City from Portland Thorns on a contract running through summer 2029. The WSL leaders will reportedly pay the Thorns a transfer fee of $875,000 with potential add-ons according to ESPN, securing one of the NWSL’s top midfielders.
Coffey said in an emotional goodbye video posted by the Thorns that playing in Europe has long been one of her goals. “For as long as I’ve kicked a ball, I’ve always dreamed of playing professional soccer in Europe, and it’s something I simply have to pursue. I would never forgive myself if I didn’t go try,” she said in a video filmed at Providence Park.
Thorns Lose Talisman and 2024 Captain
The move leaves Portland without their talisman and 2024 captain. During a turbulent season in terms of injuries and maternity leaves, Coffey started all but one match and was a stabilizing force in midfield. She was named to the league’s Best XI for the third time in four years.
Manchester City are chasing their first title in a decade and lead England’s Women’s Super League by six points over Chelsea after defeating Everton on the weekend to open the second half of the season. Coffey has never been on a side that finished top of table but was a rookie when the Thorns won the 2022 NWSL Championship.
Investment in Women’s Game Attracts Star
Coffey also gave a nod to Manchester City as a club that has recently increased investment in the women’s team. “I think it’s also a place that just has proven its investment in women’s soccer and being a part of this movement that is going on. Seeing the facilities, the support the team gets and all the efforts they are putting in for the women’s side is such a huge and positive side and something I’m honored to be a part of.”
Also read: Renee Slegers Signs New Arsenal Contract Until 2029 After Champions League Glory
Everton Women host Manchester City on Sunday as the WSL leaders return from the winter break with a six point advantage at the top of the table. Brian Sorensen’s side will be without several key players including Rion Ishikawa due to sickness and Hikaru Kitagawa who is being assessed after feeling her hamstring during training.
Elise Stenevik, Megan Finnigan and Lucy Hope remain unavailable while Katie Robinson has returned to Aston Villa after her loan spell ended, having made 12 appearances for the Toffees. Everton sit 10th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Sunday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Joie Stadium, Manchester
TV: TBC
Sorensen Demands Defensive Discipline
The Everton boss knows his side face an uphill task against the league’s highest scorers. “They have a very good team and we have to put a performance in. We have the confidence to know that we can do it if we get it right. But, it is going to be extremely hard. We have to be right in the defensive department. We know how good they are. We need to focus on ourselves and make sure we get our things right.”
Manchester City have been relentless since their opening day defeat to Chelsea in September, establishing a commanding lead at the top. Khadija Shaw tops the scoring charts with support from Vivianne Miedema and Aoba Fujino providing goals throughout the season.
Recent Meetings Favor City
The clubs have already met twice this season with Andrée Jeglertz’s team winning both encounters. City won 3-1 in the League Cup at Joie Stadium in September before edging a competitive 2-1 victory at Goodison Park in November, despite Kelly Gago’s equalizer.
Predicted Lineups:
Everton (4-2-3-1): Ramsey; Vanhaevermaet, Wheeler, Payne, Boje Sørensen; Clare, Hayashi; Thomas, Gago, Bissell; Snoeijs
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Knaak, Ouahabi; Hasegawa, Blindkilde Brown; Fujino, Miedema, Hemp; Shaw
Also read: Julie Blakstad Officially Joins Tottenham From Hammarby as Spurs Strengthen Backline
Vivianne Miedema has revealed she wants to extend her stay at Manchester City beyond this summer with contract talks currently underway. The Netherlands international joined the WSL leaders on a free transfer from Arsenal in summer 2024 and has been instrumental in their charge towards the title.
“Officially, I have a contract until the summer. We’re working hard to extend that. I’m sure it’ll work out. I’m happy at the club and I feel good about the direction the club is going,” Miedema told FCLeeuwinnen and AD.nl.
Thriving Under Andrée Jeglertz
The 29 year old striker has rediscovered her best form at City after injury troubles plagued her final years at Arsenal. She’s formed a lethal partnership with Bunny Shaw in attack, helping Andrée Jeglertz’s side build a six point lead at the top of the WSL table heading into the winter break.
Miedema scored her 100th WSL goal during City’s 6-1 demolition of Aston Villa in December, becoming only the second player to reach that milestone. Her performances have been crucial to City’s 13 match unbeaten run across all competitions since their opening day defeat to Chelsea.
City Keen to Secure Key Asset
Manchester City will be eager to tie down Miedema to a new deal given her importance to their title push. The striker’s contract situation means she could sign a pre contract with clubs outside England from this month if terms aren’t agreed.
City face a challenging run of fixtures when they return from the winter break, starting with West Ham in the League Cup quarter final before resuming their WSL campaign. Securing Miedema’s future would provide a significant boost as they look to end their four year trophy drought and claim their first WSL title since 2021.
- Liverpool13 years ago
Raheem Sterling Age 17 Kids 3 Women 2
- Arsenal13 years ago
Etienne Capoue To Become An Arsenal Player In Summer
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Defender Nacho Monreal Doesn’t Agree The Direction The Club Is Going.
- Arsenal13 years ago
Robin van Persie wants to move back to Arsenal
- Arsenal13 years ago
Report: Arsenal Could Sign A Striker Next Week
- Headlines13 years ago
Manchester United Preparing A (Javier Hernandez + De Gea + 55 Million) Bid For Ronaldo
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Planning To Bring In ‘Next Fabregas’
- Headlines13 years ago
Three Reasons Why Manchester United Must Sign This “Next Vidic”