Pep Guardiola has taken another swipe at the Premier League by claiming that Manchester City's requests to delay their start to next season have been rejected.
City and Chelsea's preparations for 2025-26 will be disrupted by the month-long summer Club World Cup in the United States.
Its final comes just four weeks before the season begins. In fact, City could have as little as seven days to prepare for their opening game after a mandated three-week summer break.
'The Premier League has not allowed us to postpone the first two games for our recovery — thank you so much,' Guardiola said sarcastically. The Spaniard is concerned that the lack of a proper pre-season will impact the health of City's squad.
'The Premier League say yes to us? No, absolutely not,' he added, although it is understood no formal request was made. 'They don't postpone these games, so that will be the moment of… oh, what do we do? I don't have an answer because I've not been there before.'
City's Kevin De Bruyne — who has been outspoken about the impact of the Club World Cup — has pulled out of four Belgium internationals. He will return soon from a pelvis injury, but wants to miss November's Nations League games to 'take care of his body,' Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco said.
Guardiola believes the 33-year-old is struggling with niggling problems after hamstring surgery and five months out last year.
'After long injuries your body becomes unbalanced,' he said. 'It's like having the same car — it is not always the same as when you bought it.'
Raocmnosty
0
what an arrogance, he believes City will be in the final
U don't understand the situation how long z summer break, and how will the group stage take if at all they end in group stage ,, two weeks for recovery it looks being in finals hopefully U started watching football in that era
ziybcsuy
1
city will be in the EFL league next season, nothing to do with EPL, EPL won't be able to make decisions as city is not in EPL
Who made you Judge and Jury over City? You are simply bitter because Mancity is far better than your underperforming club. You wish it was your club dominating the Premier League.
ziybcsuy
1
city will be in the EFL league next season, nothing to do with EPL, EPL won't be able to make decisions as city is not in EPL
Who made you Judge and Jury over City? You are bitter and envious of City because of their achievements. Hating City will not improve the performance of your club.
Jeecdiknor
1
what an arrogance, he believes City will be in the final
Maubcptuyz
2
EPL is not yours PEP,same reasons you have 115 charges,your bosses think they own it.
Sisckmpsu
0
city will be in the EFL league next season, nothing to do with EPL, EPL won't be able to make decisions as city is not in EPL
cry😭
Kesadlor
2
city will be in the EFL league next season, nothing to do with EPL, EPL won't be able to make decisions as city is not in EPL
ScottyC
1
City always whinging about something