Pep Guardiola claimed that his team’s absence of a full preseason together could force them to miss points early in the season. Phil Foden, John Stones, and Ilkay Gundogan were not included in Manchester City’s preseason tour to the United States because they did not match entry requirements.
Guardiola warns that his team’s failure to enjoy a full preseason together could cost them when the competitive matches start next month. The trio are working with City’s U23s in Croatia and will join the senior group when they get back from the United States.
The manager responded, “Yeah, a lot. I’m upset that we won’t have Foden, Stones, and Gundogan. I’d like for them to be here.”
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“The only pre-season when we were all together from day one was the second season here [2017/18], when we finished with 100 points. Since then, four players have arrived, followed by another one a week later. We began those seasons with enormous difficulties. We lose points every year.’
City’s first of two pre-season friendlies is against Club America in Houston on Tuesday, with only defender Ruben Dias missing the session. “This season, I thought maybe we’d be all together,” Guardiola added, referring to the players’ personal situations. “But it is what it is; we will move forward and must adapt.”
According to Le Parisien, City were offered Brazilian international Neymar Jr. in recent weeks but turned him down. According to the French outlet, PSG was pushing for Bernardo Silva to be included in a potential deal, but City turned down the ambitious offer.
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This summer, reports surfaced that new PSG sporting director Luis Campos was willing to offload the 30-year-old during the current transfer window, casting doubt on Neymar’s future. The Ligue 1 champions, who have failed in their own attempts to conquer Europe, are said to be looking to bolster their squad this summer.
Guardiola’s decision to reject the offer which would see Neymar head to the Etihad comes as something of a surprise given his previous remarks on the player, and given his – and City’s – insatiable desire to win the Champions League. The Spaniard admitted back in April 2021 that he believes his former club Barcelona would have gone on to win more European crowns in recent years had they been able to keep Neymar at the Nou Camp.
