Pep Guardiola stated that a thorough preparation for Manchester City’s upcoming title defense is unattainable and anticipates starting the season less than fully prepared.
City will face Barcelona in their third friendly match in the United States on Tuesday evening but will do so missing 13 key players who are still away due to the European Championship.
Guardiola has permitted his England players – Phil Foden, John Stones, and Kyle Walker – along with Rodri, to choose their return dates for training.
Many are likely to return just days before the Manchester derby for the Community Shield on August 10, although Guardiola’s allowance remains open throughout that week if players are still recovering from fatigue.
‘We will arrive late, but this isn’t just for the Manchester United match, it’s the same against Chelsea and Ipswich as well,’ Guardiola remarked, referencing their initial fixtures in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City team will begin their title defense underprepared
‘We will be behind schedule. Our aim is to avoid dropping too many points and to compete effectively. We are short on players because they require rest.’
‘If the major governing bodies, such as FIFA, UEFA, and the Premier League, don’t prioritize the wellbeing of the players, then the managers must step in to ensure their health, or else they risk burnout. The current scheduling is excessive. Thus, a break of three weeks or a month is essential, yet we must adapt to the ongoing competition.’
With their participation in the upcoming expanded Club World Cup next summer, City’s season is expected to last a full year, and Guardiola is cognizant of closely managing his players’ workloads.
City is used to starting slowly and recovering during the season, and Guardiola anticipates a similar scenario this time.
Guardiola has permitted his England internationals and Rodri to return to training at their convenience
‘There is no fix for this situation. The intent to find a solution simply isn’t there,’ he continued.
‘The clubs must travel internationally to promote our brand and engage with fans across the globe, so we must adapt to these demands.
‘We would prefer a proper preparation period, but that isn’t feasible as national teams have their commitments, and every governing body like FIFA and UEFA is focused on promoting their products by scheduling matches.
‘We have a strong squad that will be complete when everyone returns. We also have three, four, or five talented young players ready to step in as needed. We will proceed as we have in previous seasons, even with the same demanding schedule as this year.’
