Second coming of Rodri? Who makes it to Si and Alex's top of the class for 2025?

Simon Bajkowski and Alex James wrap up the year with a reflection on the 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest and what awaits Manchester City in 2026. With Pep Guardiola's side still "going hard in all competitions", the Talking City podcast looks at the in-form players, squad depth, and what Antoine Semenyo could bring to the Etihad. 🌍 EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee ❓ Submit your questions for Si's Q&A: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/man-city-transfer-window-qa-33132769 🎧 | Listen to the Talking City Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/MCFCPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Pep Guardiola in the festive mood? His squad could well be receiving a lump of coal in their stocking from the City boss, despite their 3-0 win against West Ham. Simon Bajkowski tells Alex James about Pep's reaction to the game, City's relentless schedule in the New Year, and whether Semenyo could be the gift they are looking for in the January transfer window. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🎧 | Listen to the Talking City Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/MCFCPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Directly afterwards Pep Guardiola's press conference, where the City manager addressed rumours around his future, Simon Bajkowski is not impressed. He tells Alex James about his doubts over the rumours, Pep's legacy, and who could eventually replace Guardiola at the Etihad. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🎧 | Listen to the Talking City Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/MCFCPod _ Welcome to the Talking City Podcast by the Manchester Evening News, covering everything Manchester City featuring Chief Manchester City writer Simon Bajkowski, Senior football writer Tyrone Marshall and Manchester City content editor Alex James. 👩‍💻 | Manchester City news: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Bajkowski and Jack Flintham reflect on City’s 3-0 win against Crystal Palace, the state of the Premier League title race and preview the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford on Wednesday. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🎧 | Listen to the Talking City Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/MCFCPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex James and Simon Bajkowski reflect on City's impressive win over Real Madrid and look ahead to the trip to Crystal Palace as talk of challenging for the title ramps up. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🎧 | Listen to the Talking City Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/MCFCPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Pep Guardiola pile on the pressure on Xabi Alonso when Manchester City travel to the Bernabéu on Wednesday? Speaking from Madrid, Tyrone Marshall tells Alex James about whether City bring "a fear factor" in the Champions League clash. And back in Manchester, Simon Bajkowski notes how Pep called City's 3-0 win against Sunderland "one of the best performances of the season", and the opportunities arising in the title race. 🎧 | Listen to the Talking City Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/MCFCPod _ Welcome to the Talking City Podcast by the Manchester Evening News, covering everything Manchester City featuring Chief Manchester City writer Simon Bajkowski, Senior football writer Tyrone Marshall and Manchester content editor Alex James. 👩‍💻 | Manchester City news: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc 📖 | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManCityMEN 🕊️ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mancitymen ⏰ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mancitymen 📸 | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mancitymen 🎧 | Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/MCFCPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Bajkowski and Jack Flintham reflect on City’s 3-2 win against Leeds United, take a look at what went wrong, praise Phil Foden and look ahead to the trip to Fulham on Tuesday night. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🎧 | Listen to the Talking City Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/MCFCPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tyrone Marshall is joined by Simon Bajkowski as they reflect on the loss against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. Who is to blame: Pep Guardiola for making the 10 changes to the squad, or the players who didn't show up? They also discuss City's transfer strategy compared to Liverpool, and preview the clash against Leeds United this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex James and Tyrone Marshall look back at City’s defeat to Newcastle, discuss the Savinho situation, and look ahead to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🎧 | Listen to the Talking City Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/MCFCPod _ Welcome to the Talking City Podcast by the Manchester Evening News, covering everything Manchester City featuring Chief Manchester City writer Simon Bajkowski, Senior football writer Tyrone Marshall and Manchester content editor Alex James. 👩‍💻 | Manchester City news: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc 📖 | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManCityMEN 🕊️ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mancitymen ⏰ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mancitymen 📸 | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mancitymen 🎧 | Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/MCFCPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Premier League is back after the international break, and Manchester City travel to Newcastle United in the Premier League. City are in a good position with momentum from their recent wins. However, as our Talking City hosts Alex James and Tyrone Marshall note, it will be "non-stop" until the international break. Tyrone also speaks to Everything is Black and White podcast host Andrew Musgrove to get the view from the North East, who jokes that Newcastle would rather be playing City in the Champions League, thanks to the patchy form in the league from Eddie Howe's side. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices