Manchester City’s Pre-Season Disrupted by US Entry Rules
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his frustration as Phil Foden, John Stones, and Ilkay Gündogan were forced to miss the club’s pre-season tour of the USA due to vaccination entry requirements. The trio, who are training with City’s U23s in Croatia, will rejoin the squad upon their return, but Guardiola admits their absence creates “incredible problems” for team cohesion ahead of the new season.
Guardiola’s Concerns Over Squad Preparation
Guardiola highlighted the importance of a unified pre-season, recalling City’s dominant 2017/18 campaign where the team started strongly after a full training camp together. “Since then, it’s always four players arrive, then after a few weeks some others, and we start the season with incredible problems,” he told Mostplay.
The manager emphasized that disrupted preparations often lead to slow starts in the Premier League, costing City valuable early points. With the World Cup and European Championships further complicating player availability, Guardiola acknowledged the challenges of modern football scheduling.
Neymar Links Dismissed, Cucurella Pursuit Continues
Amid rumors linking Neymar to Manchester City, Guardiola firmly denied any interest, calling the reports “false.” Instead, the focus remains on strengthening the left-back position following Oleksandr Zinchenko’s departure to Arsenal. Brighton’s Marc Cucurella is a prime target, with Guardiola trusting director of football Txiki Begiristain to secure the right replacement.
Guardiola dismisses speculation over Neymar joining Manchester City.
Kyle Walker on Haaland’s Adaptation
New signing Erling Haaland is already turning heads in training, but teammate Kyle Walker cautioned that replacing Sergio Agüero’s legacy won’t be easy. “He’s got big boots to fill,” Walker said. “The Premier League is tough, but his mentality and power are promising.”
Key Fixtures Ahead for Manchester City
- Community Shield vs. Liverpool – July 30
- Premier League Opener at West Ham – August 7
- Champions League Ambitions – Haaland eyes European glory
Conclusion: Mostplay Take on City’s Pre-Season Challenges
Guardiola’s frustration is understandable—pre-season disruptions could hinder City’s title defense. However, with Haaland’s arrival and strategic reinforcements, the champions remain strong contenders. Stay tuned to Mostplay for more in-depth analysis and breaking football updates!
