Four Manchester City stars set to return next week after missing Community Shield

Pep Guardiola has confirmed the final four Manchester City players will return to pre-season training next week.

The Premier League champions’ summer plans have been impacted by the plethora of players involved at Euro 2024 and Copa America. Sixteen City stars were involved across the international competitions and only two - Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic - were back in time to feature in the club’s pre-season fixtures.

Nine players were back in training over the end of last week and beginning of this week, with those involved in the final of Euro 2024 - Kyle Walker, John Stones, Rodri and Phil Foden - still missing, along with Julian Alvarez, who is close to joining Atletico Madrid.

Speaking ahead of the Community Shield, Guardiola said: “We try to give them the best rest possible, as much as possible. We would like to give them more time but it is what it is. But we gave them a lot.  All the players came back and the England players and Rodri will come back next week.”

City’s 2024/25 campaign begins on Saturday with a Manchester derby at Wembley and could last 48 weeks given the expanded Club World Cup next summer. With an increased Champions League to also contend with this term, Guardiola admitted he is concerned about how his players will cope with the physical demands of another gruelling season.

“It’s better not to think about the schedule. I don't see the picture. I see what is next. Think about the next training session and step by step, otherwise it's ‘oh my god what is going to happen?’. 

“Step by step, next game, try to be smart enough, train the right amount of time and be fresh in your mind. Rotate the players as much as possible, game by game and we will see what happens.”