Manchester City resumed training this Monday but made their first appearance in front of the camera on Wednesday after they returned to City Football Academy. Almost everyone from the first team squad was found training with a few notable absentees as well.
Kovacic and Guardiola were captured chatting
After waiting for three days, we could finally capture a glimpse of the exuberant Guardiola, energetic Haaland, and keen Mateo Kovacic. One of the most touching moments captured in the training footage was Guardiola’s conversation with Kovacic during a break. As he often does with new or young players, the Spaniard took the opportunity to impart a couple of tactical insights.
Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, and Bernardo Silva are also rumoured to be making an exit yet were seen sweating in the Blue jersey. However, Riyad Mahrez was not to be found. The Algerian international is said to have agreed personal terms with Saudi club Al Ahli and may therefore have been absent from training.
image credit – mancity.com
Joao Cancelo back in the Blues
The most eye-catching view was the return of Joao Cancelo. Amidst the news of making an exit, we could see the Portuguese international training along with the first team.
Manchester City kicks off their campaign this Sunday when they take on Yokohama in Tokyo. The game will be the first for Kovacic in Man City’s t-shirt and he surely will be the one fans would want to pin their eyes to.
Breaking: Joao Cancelo is part of #ManCity’s 25-man travelling squad for pre-season.
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) July 19, 2023
Erling Haaland also seemed as ready as ever for the pre-season and was the first to start training. He also looked in good spirits as he was found lurking around with Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez. Surprisingly so, academy graduate Cole Parmer was back at Manchester City amidst reports of being sent out on loan.
Last, but not least, there was also a glimpse of Kevin De Bruyne who was seen walking in the training field freely with the hope to get over his distressing hamstring injury from the Champions League final.
Manchester City’s Asia Tour 2023 travelling squad:
Ortega, Ederson, Carson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Aké, Cancelo, Laporte, Gomez, Akanji, Lewis; Phillips, Kovacic, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Perrone, McAtee; Haaland, Grealish, Alvarez, Foden, Bobb, Palmer.
