With Manchester City’s Premier League opener against Wolves on the horizon, Pep Guardiola must be itching to show the world why writing him and his Sky Blues side off is a cardinal sin.
Considering Liverpool and Arsenal finished above City last season, perhaps several fans and pundits alike will back them to do the same in the 2025/2026 campaign.
However, Pep Guardiola has looked motivated about next season and the prospect of the legendary tactician approaching the campaign with a point to prove should worry Manchester City’s domestic rivals.
Guardiola has excluded youth players from pre-season training, which shows how keen he is for City to start the campaign on fire.
Rodri and Pep Guardiola in conversation during Manchester City vs Bournemouth.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola had an animated chat with Rodri in training
Before their clash against Wolves, Manchester City will play Palermo in a pre-season friendly on Sunday, a contest that could indicate whether how they might kickstart the campaign.
Ahead of the fixture, Pep Guardiola’s men have held an open training session at the Joie Stadium.
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Rodri was in training, who Guardiola was spotted having a long conversation with him, as he animatedly gave the midfielder instructions via Manchester City’s official YouTube channel.
Rodri, who Manchester City signed for £62.5 million chimed in as well but the conversation mostly involved the Catalan tactician handing out his instructions.
What Rodri is actually like in training
Being the consummate professional Rodri is, he would have taken Pep Guardiola’s advice on board.
Jacob Wright lauded Rodri after training with him, raving about the midfield maestro being a joy to play alongside.
Wright said: “There’s not a bad player at Man City; you are constantly learning when you are around them. Rodri, seeing how smooth his basics are, every little thing he does is just crisp all the time.”
“Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic, who are just press resistant, you can’t get near them, they just know how to manoeuvre the ball and their bodies to get away from you at all times.”