Newcastle United's Nico Gonzalez has offered his perspective on his former club Manchester City's recent judgment concerning breaches of the Premier League's financial rules.
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Manchester City's season was blown apart in September, when reports emerged to steal headlines nationwide after the club's legal battle with the Premier League saw a guilty verdict of breaching the league's financial rules on 114 counts between 2009 and 2018.
The club have since filed a formal appeal against the decision and vehemently denied any financial wrongdoing, doubling down on an 'irrefutable body of evidence' that will prove their innocence and clear their name of all wrongdoing as the appeal process commences.
After scribing his signature to Newcastle United for £52 million during the summer transfer window, Nico Gonzalez has now had his say on Manchester City's predicament as the Spaniard adapts to life in Tyneside.
The 24-year-old managed 36 appearances as a Manchester City player since joining as an emergency midfield reinforcement from FC Porto in January 2025, winning two trophies during his short-lived time at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City’s summer of sweeping change has produced another significant departure as Nico González brings his time at the Etihad Stadium to a close with a move to Newcastle United.cityxtra.co.ukNico Gonzalez Completes Man City Exit to Newcastle United
Manchester City’s summer of sweeping change has produced another significant departure as Nico González brings his time at the Etihad Stadium to a close with a move to Newcastle United.
Nico wishes the best for Man City from a distance
In a new interview with Sky Sports, Nico Gonzalez acknowledged the ambiguity of the circumstances in which his former Manchester City teammates find themselves, and offered condolences towards his previous associates.
"I really want them to succeed, not only my old teammates but people that work there," the former Barcelona man said. "I had a year-and-a-half there and built so many connections, so many relationships, and I will always wish them the best personally.
"Obviously I'm just a player, I can't say this has to be the punishment or there has to be a punishment. So I just wish them personally - everyone that I've been around - the best.
"But the club - I don't know what to say because I'm not aware of everything. I'm just outside, I can't say anything."
Manchester City were reportedly found guilty by an independent commission in December 2024. However, due to legal processes, the verdict has taken a substantial amount of time to be revealed.
On being at the club during those legal talks, Nico Gonzalez added, "That's something I always didn't like, not knowing what's going to happen in future.
"Obviously I feel bad for them and not only them, some staff, people that work behind the scenes. I feel bad because I think for everyone it must be a really hard situation."
A view in hindsight of a daunting situation
While Nico Gonzalez spoke mostly of his adaptation into his new surroundings at Newcastle, his offers of sympathy to everyone at Manchester City stand pertinent, just months after the La Masia graduate made the switch to England's north-east.
However, his open interpretation on feelings towards the then-ongoing process when contracted to City offer an intriguing insight into the atmosphere at the club after the guilty verdict has come to light during a three-week international break.
Manchester City return to action with a trial by fire, travelling to Liverpool and Anfield on Sunday for their first test since being found in breach of the Premier League's rules as the football world awaits the outcome of the formal appeal process.