Manchester City have some unexpected time off after their early exit from the Club World Cup but they do now have more control of their destiny
Man City head coach Pep Guardiola.
Man City head coach Pep Guardiola.(Image: Justin Setterfield - FIFA via Getty Images)
Just because they have been knocked out of the Club World Cup early, the warning from Pep Guardiola (and lots of others involved in football) still rings true. It is too early to say how the summer tournament - and a disrupted schedule - will affect them in the Premier League or Champions League.
“I try not to think about it, otherwise I will be so anxious,” the Manchester City manager said. “We will rest the time the Premier League allows us to.
"And game by game, month by month, we will see. And maybe in November, December, January, ask me, Pep. I may say: ‘So listen, we are a disaster. We are exhausted. The World Cup destroyed us.’
"I don’t know, but it’s the first time in our life that [the Club World Cup has] happened. So we will see."
One thing City's early exit has done is reduced the chances of that, since the players now have four weeks of rest before they meet back up to prepare for the Premier League. While the Blues would rather still be in the United States preparing for a semi-final, they do at least have more control over their schedule now.
And, thanks to the lucrative payday that the Club World Cup affords, City do not need to chase any money as they plan the rest of their pre-season.
Despite going out at the last-16 stage, the club are still set to net more than twice what they earned from their tour of Asia in 2023 and comfortably more than they made in the United States last summer.
Some of that may have gone towards reductions in matchday tickets for next season or a freeze on season ticket prices, but there will still be plenty left - on top of the sound financial position City already operate in - to mean that the squad do not need to prioritise commercial activities when they return. They can play as many or as few friendlies as they like, and where they want to.
City's friendly with Palermo arranged for Saturday August 9 - a week before they head to Wolves in the Premier League - has no doubt been helped by the City Football Group connections.
The Blues do not usually tour Italy or take on opponents from the second division, yet this will be a spectacle for the Sicilian club that City's owners are trying to back.
It isn't far for the squad to travel though - they could go there and back in a day - and a run-out in front of a passionate crowd will be no bad thing. If there are no other friendlies arranged, it will be the only game they play with supporters before the start of their league campaign.
City may end up running out of steam in the winter months, but they should at least have more control over how they start their season after picking up their cheque from the Club World Cup.
Kevin de Bruyne - special edition ON SALE NOW
Kevin de Bruyne is one of - if not the - greatest players to play for Manchester City.
He leaves the club having won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and a memorable Champions League victory!
To mark his amazing time at the Etihad Stadium, this special edition has been produced - KDB The King - to celebrate Kev's career with the Blues. We look back at his 10 best games in Blue, celebrate his title wins and hear from the City boss and a host of team-mates and football elite who give their views on what makes him so special.
Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester City coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clickinghere to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Clickhere to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Talking City podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, includingSpotify andApple Podcasts, and you can also watch along onYouTube.