**Pep Guardiola**saw **Man City**claim a win in their only outing of preseason, scoring three without reply against **Palermo**in Italy. Two strikes went the way of a new midfield motor, and the newcomers from June have all settled in well as "really good" additions ahead of a critical campaign for the club.
‘He loves to arrive in the box’
Erling Haaland broke the deadlock in the first half, and Tijjani Reijnders hit the back of the net twice to complete the City scoring spree. The Dutchman earned the award of Best Midfielder in **Serie A**last term, and his tally of ten league goals gives an impression of the offensive threat he offers.
“We knew he is a special player arriving into the box. He loves to do that. People in Italy know him perfectly. He scored two goals and he made a fantastic performance like the rest of his teammates.”
He has been the deepest man in the middle of the park for the Citizens, but he had the freedom to run ahead of a six such as **Ismael Bennacer**at AC Milan. As **Rodri**is closer to full fitness, and Nico Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic are options at the base, he should take on a similar responsibility.
“He can play as a holding midfielder but he loves to arrive to the box to help our strikers like Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush and anyone who plays there. We are really pleased with him.”
The Dutchman was one of three summer signings in June, along with Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri. The three players cost £111 million, and sound as if they are suitable acquisitions for Pep.
“The signings we did before the Club World Cup were really good: Cherki, Ait Nouri and Reijnders.”
The rebuild of the squad started in January. Abdukodir Khusanov came to their camp from Lens, and after a nervy start on his debut against Chelsea, he has shown signs of being a smart pickup.
“Same with Khusanov. He showed his potential and he is one of the fastest players that I have seen.”
This game was the only one in the schedule between the end of the **Club World Cup**and the start of the new Premier League against Wolves. A trip for **Tottenham**to the Etihad Stadium and a visit to **Brighton**are also in the calendar this month, but the manager does not fear for the state of his squad.
*“We haven’t played many games. We’ve trained well, we go back to Manchester, try to make a good week and prepare the games. I am happy since the Club World Cup. Our vibes were really good.”*