Pep Guardiola fears his preparations for Manchester City’s Premier League title defence have been affected by the World Cup. Guardiola has travelled to the United States for games against Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool and Bayern Munich with a squad made up mostly of young players as many of his regular stars are enjoying an extended break following their exploits in Russia.
First team stars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, Ederson, David Silva, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and John Stones have not made the journey to compete in the annual International Champions Cup pre-season tournament with most not expected back until a week before the start of the domestic season in England.
Guardiola has also suffered a setback in the transfer market this summer with Napoli’s Italian international midfielder Jorginho following manager Maurizio Sarri to Chelsea and although Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez has signed for 60 million pounds ($79 million), the Spaniard is poised to begin the season with almost the same squad.
It’s far from ideal but Guardiola won’t force any player back just for the sake of it.
“It is what it is,” said the Spaniard. “We spoke — they have to come back ready. If the days before they are tired and they don’t want to fight for the Community Shield, play at Arsenal, then stay on holidays. We cannot forget what we’ve done but we start again. If they are ready they’ll help us and if not we’ll wait for them. If they are not mentally and physically ready, they won’t come back. “It’s been a pleasure working with academy players over the last few days.”
Jorginho disappointment
On Jorginho, Guardiola added: “I was disappointed (not to sign him). We tried, but players have to go where they go.
“It would have been a mistake for him if he came and he wanted to go to Chelsea with Maurizio Sarri. If they want to come, that’s great but if he wants to go to Chelsea, all the best for him. So it is important that English football has received an exceptional player and at the end if they want to come, it’s better they come. My advice is always go where they want to go.”
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, meanwhile, is poised for some surprise playing time in the US having returned to the club from a loan spell at West Ham United. Manchester City had yet another title to brag about… as they had sent more players than any other club to this summer’s World Cup. Pep Guardiola saw 16 of his stars jet off to Russia – more than any other European giant.
City’s tallied even betters La Liga duo Real Madrid (15) and Barcelona (14) – as well as Paris Saint-Germain (12). Chelsea and Tottenham are also sending a dozen players to this summer’s World Cup.Meanwhile, Juventus, Manchester United and Bayern Munich will see 11 players fly out to Russia in the coming days. Atletico Madrid round-off the list with nine players heading to the tournament – with Liverpool and Arsenal surprise absentees in the top ten.
Yesterday , Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho said he was is worried by the absence of key players from the club’s pre-season training camp in the United States, saying that the situation was “very bad” ahead of the Premier League campaign.m United are without several World Cup participants, including France’s Paul Pogba, Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini, and England’s Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford among others, as they rest following a gruelling tournament.
Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez is also absent from the camp due to visa issues.
“The pre-season is very bad, the positive thing of the pre-season is only for the young boys that have a fantastic opportunity to train with us,” Mourinho told reporters.
“I’m worried because I’m not training (with everyone) and then I go to the Premier League without lots of players, but it is what it is and we have to try and make the best out of it with the players we have here.