Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has provided an important update.
City were the club with the highest number of representatives at Euro 2024 (14) and as a result, several of their key names have been given an extended break.
In the Premier League and the FA Cup last season, Guardiola’s side competed until the very last hurdle as well.
Naturally, Manchester City would not wish for their big names to undergo a burnout, both physically and mentally after what has been a taxing 12 months of football for them.
However, with names like Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Phil Foden to name a few missing their pre-season tour to the US, their fitness also might not be at the optimum level for the start of the 2024/2025 season.
Pep Guardiola provides Man City players’ Euro 2024 return update
Even Julian Alvarez is competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 — a decision that has reportedly left Pep Guardiola “furious.”
Guardiola was also heard telling Savinho to “get some sun” after he signed for the club — as he is expected to return to the Etihad Stadium in August.
The £378,846-a-week man will certainly have plenty of difficult decisions while picking his starting XI for the first few games while also having to ensure that his team begin the season well.
Pep Guardiola has revealed that the Manchester City players who are currently enjoying their extended break are expected to return after their second game in the Premier League against Ipswich Town.
Guardiola said via Manchester Evening News journalist Joe Bray: “We will arrive late but not [just] against Manchester United, against Chelsea and Ipswich too. We will be late. It’s about trying not to drop many points, try to compete well.”
The Catalan also warned that it is not safe for the players’ well-being to be playing as much football as they are having to play.
“We don’t have players because they have to rest, if the big bosses and all the institutions like FIFA, UEFA and the Premier League don’t think about the players then the managers have to think about them, otherwise they will die.”
“It’s too much. That’s why three weeks or one month is necessary, but the competition is there and you have to adapt.”
Man City are making smart approach by playing the long game with their squad
As Pep Guardiola stated, the focus at Manchester City will be trying not to drop too many points in their initial fixtures without some of their crucial players.
However, even if City do, they can afford to at the start of the campaign as teams will eventually draw or lose games a some point in the league season.
A huge advantage the Sky Blues could end up having at their disposal is that their key figures are fully rested and come the business end of the season, they are fresh and prepare to partake when do-or-die games present themselves.
Having a rested squad at such a taxing stage of the season is a luxury for any manager, especially one who is vying for the title.
As a result, Manchester City have perhaps made the smart call by giving their biggest names an extended break after their involvement at the European Championship.
