Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of 115 financial-fair-play charges after being accused of breaching the Premier League’s financial fair-play rules. The club strenuously deny any wrongdoing and have appealed the decision.
Possible consequences for City
Former Man City star Michael Ball exclusively told TEAMtalk: "The best outcome would be for the findings to be overturned. Beyond that, City will want to remain in the Premier League and continue competing. They may look at other cases and hope the outcome is a fine."
Ball said: "There are so many possible consequences: players leaving, changes to the squad and wider questions about the club."
He added: "But if they remain in the Premier League, I think City would see that as a victory."
Haaland’s England options
Erling Haaland has been linked with Arsenal and Man Utd if Man City face a particularly brutal punishment.
Ball said: "But only he knows. If he is happy in England, he might want to stay."
Haaland’s career progression
Ball said: "I have always felt his career has a clear progression."
He added: "He did well at Dortmund, moved to City — the club he supported as a child — and wanted to win everything there. The next step could be another major challenge, perhaps Real Madrid or Barcelona."
Ball said: "I find it difficult to see him staying in the Premier League if he leaves City. From the outside, it feels as though he wants to experience different stages and tick off different achievements."
A possible Haaland-Mbappe pairing
When asked if Haaland could play in the same team as Kylian Mbappe if he made a move to Real Madrid, Ball said: "Well, I would not want to play against them, I know that much! I would be happy watching from the sofa, though. Having those two together would be a fantastic spectacle."
