Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about what he is planning for the summer with the Club World Cup
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Pep Guardiola of Manchester City enters the field before the game against AC Milan
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola suggested that Manchester City will not be going all out to win the Club World Cup this summer after a season plagued by injuries. The Blues have the chance to become the first team to win the newly revamped lucrative FIFA tournament but know it will deprive them of a proper break this summer.
Having failed to secure a delay to next season's Premier League, Guardiola has told his players to treat the competition as a mix between a holiday and a pre-season and spoken before about taking youth players to complement the squad.
City's injury problems this season have derailed what started as a promising campaign, and three of their four central defenders may only be recovering their full fitness by the middle of June when they have their first game.
Guardiola will be looking to win a global tournament that he values, but with City having already won the Club World Cup in his time he is also acutely aware that the summer risks jeopardising their chances of striking back in the Premier League and Champions League next season.
As he looks to balance various things, the City boss is planning on getting some downtime in the United States this summer and will allow his players to do the same - even if it means less time preparing for matches.
"They told me the golf courses are really nice in America. If my back allows it, I’ll play absolutely" he said.
"I draw the ball really well. I have a problem with putting but I’ll practice.
"We are going to try to try to enjoy that experience, after 11 [months] I am not thinking about bringing the players there to spend hours in their room thinking about the next game.
"They are going to train but I will let them free. Of course they have to behave well or they will be in trouble but you have to have fun and play the games as best as possible for this new experience."