Manchester City new manager Enzo Maresca is preparing to start the season without several key players
The end of a major international tournament always creates challenges for club managers. Players returning from deep runs need proper recovery time before rejoining their teammates. Four weeks of rest is widely recommended to protect long-term fitness and performance.
Early-season fixtures such as the Community Shield arrive before many internationals have fully recovered. Coaches must prepare alternative plans and give opportunities to those who have been training for longer. These circumstances can shape the opening weeks of a new campaign.
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Manchester City new manager Enzo Maresca is preparing to start the season without several key players for the Community Shield clash against Arsenal. Six stars who reached the final weekend of the World Cup are unlikely to have completed the recommended recovery period by August 16.
Rodri, Rayan Cherki, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson and James Trafford are the players in question. All were involved until the closing stages of the tournament and will require additional rest before returning to full training. Maresca welcomes the first group of players back this week, but those who went deep into the World Cup will be given more time.
At least five of the six would normally be candidates for a starting place in a high-profile match. Their absence means the Italian will need to rely on other squad members as he looks to make an early statement against the Premier League champions. Arsenal themselves are expected to be missing several players under the same recovery protocols.
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William Saliba’s ongoing back issue adds another layer of concern for Mikel Arteta. The French defender’s availability for the early part of the season remains uncertain after his tournament injury. Both managers will therefore be working with incomplete squads when they meet at Wembley.
The Community Shield often serves as a useful barometer for the season ahead. With so many international players still recovering, the match could provide opportunities for younger or less established squad members to impress. Maresca faces an immediate test of his squad depth in his first competitive fixture in charge.
Arsenal will be aiming to start the new campaign positively after their title-winning season. The potential absence of several Manchester City stars could work in their favour, but both sides will still field strong teams. The focus for now remains on managing the return of World Cup participants carefully to avoid further injury problems.
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