Manchester City are currently in Florida preparing for their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Premier League club get their campaign underway next Wednesday as Pep Guardiola’s men take on Wydad AC as part of Group G, which also contains Juventus and Al Ain.
It remains to be seen how seriously the Manchester club take the tournament, as it was reported this week that there is tension between Guardiola and the Man City hierarchy, as the legendary coach is said to not be too bothered about the competition.
The squad the Spaniard has taken to the United States says otherwise, and among them, three stars need to impress the Man City boss ahead of the Premier League getting back underway in August.
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Phil Foden
Gary Neville once labelled Phil Foden a ‘sensation’ as the Sky Sports pundit is a huge fan of the Manchester City star and is fully aware of the heights the 25-year-old can reach.
The 2023/24 campaign saw the midfielder achieve what was expected of him as the Man City academy graduate was crowned the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, the biggest individual award in English football.
However, Foden could not follow that up last season, with the England international experiencing his worst campaign at the Etihad Stadium as he struggled for confidence and form.
Foden is excited for the FIFA Club World Cup, and the tournament gives the midfielder a stage to remind everyone what he is about.
This may be crucial for the 25-year-old if he hopes to have a major role at Man City next season, as new signing Rayan Cherki plays in every position the Englishman likes to operate in, while there is strong competition from others as well.
Oscar Bobb
Just like Foden, Oscar Bobb experienced a tough 2024/25 campaign for different reasons, as the Man City star suffered a serious leg break during training at the start of the season.
This halted the momentum the youngster had gained in the campaign prior as the Norwegian was forcing his way into Guardiola’s plans, with this goal against Newcastle speeding that process up.
Bobb wants to remain at Man City, amid some doubt over his future at the Etihad Stadium, and the Club World Cup will allow the 21-year-old to shine, which the youngster did last summer during pre-season.
The winger is a top talent who certainly has a future at Man City, but fans of the Manchester club need to see if the player can still do it over the coming weeks.
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Abdukodir Khusanov
Abdukodir Khusanov arrived at Man City during the January transfer window, and the 21-year-old was given a baptism of fire by Guardiola, as the 54-year-old threw him into a Premier League match with Chelsea straight away, resulting in the youngster making a big error.
The centre-back has not played for the Manchester club since March as Guardiola wanted to take him out of the limelight so he could focus on learning the ways of the legendary coach, as well as brushing up on his English.
Roy Keane has backed Khusanov to get things right at Man City, and the Club World Cup provides the perfect stage for the defender’s reintroduction to the starting XI of the Premier League side.
The competition will allow the centre-back to show fans of the Manchester club what he has been learning over the past three months, as everyone associated with City expects the youngster to go on and achieve big things at the Etihad Stadium.
