Pep Guardiola has expressed his disappointment with the absence of some of his players for pre-season training and friendlies. Phil Foden, John Stones, and lkay Gündoan are currently unavailable for City’s pre-season preparation in the USA after failing to meet entry requirements.
Pep suggested that his team might struggle early in the 2022–2023 season because they didn’t have a full preseason together. He also acknowledged that the squad would be in “incredible trouble” without them.
The trio failed to comply with US entry requirements, which state that US visitors must be fully vaccinated, so they missed the first friendly and will probably miss the friendly match with Bayern. Because of this requirement, N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Chees of Chelsea were also unable to travel to the United States with the team for preseason training.
They have joined City’s U23s in Croatia to train and prepare and will rejoin the first team when they return from America in time to face Liverpool on the 30th of July, 2022.
Manchester City started their pre-season friendlies this morning with a 2:1 win against Club America in NRG stadium, Houston, Texas. Kevin de Bruyne netted twice in the first half, with Henry Martin’s goal coming in between Kevin’s brace.
Pep’s side will face Bayern Munich on the 24th of July, 2022, before starting the new season with the FA Community Shield against rivals Liverpool.
Kalvin Phillips and Julian Alvarez made their City debuts against the MLS side, and although star striker Erling Haaland was on the bench, he didn’t feature in the match. He will look forward to making his debut against Bayern.
Thanks! Debut vs Bayern Inshallah 🙌🏻 https://t.co/iH6SoWljqJ
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) July 21, 2022
Pep disclosed that Haaland’s absence from the Club America match was due to some fitness issues he had since moving to the Etihad.
Guardiola said: “Next game, Erling will be ready. He’s had niggles and a few problems. We’ll see. He’s trained just two sessions and didn’t want to take risks. The season is so long.”
Pep Guardiola on @ErlingHaaland: “Next game he’ll be ready. He had niggles, we don’t want to take risks, maybe against Bayern, we will see. He made two sessions, we don’t want to take risks. The season is so long; we will have time, don’t worry…”
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) July 21, 2022
Manchester City are still working on their summer recruits and are looking to secure the signing of Marc Cucurella from Brighton and Hove Albion
Pep Guardiola on Marc Cucurella deal: “We are in negotiations. If it doesn’t happen, we’ve alternatives… Cancelo, Wilson-Esbrand is a young talent, Ake can play there”, tells via @Jack_Gaughan. 🔵 #MCFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 21, 2022
“Haaland? Once he reaches full fitness, he will be unstoppable”.
