The work begins today for the Manchester City squad ahead of the 25/26 season | OneFootball

It feels like an eternity ago that Manchester City were eliminated by Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup with a 4-3 defeat in their round of 16 tie. Since then, Pep Guardiola’s squad has had four weeks of rest. But with the 25/26 season set to begin in under three weeks, the Manchester City squad returns today to begin their pre-season training. The hard work begins today for a City squad determined to return to the top of English football next season.

The Manchester City squad should benefit from a period of rest.

Pep Guardiola’s squad has just completed four weeks of rest and relaxation following their FIFA Club World Cup exit. It feels like it is the first time in a long time that the Manchester City squad has had a period of rest. Last summer the European Championships and Copa America took place. A host of City players took part in both competitions. The toll of such a busy summer likely affected Pep Guardiola’s side last season as injuries took hold of the Manchester City squad last season.

Although City played four games in the FIFA Club World Cup the City players have finally had some rest. That could prove invaluable as the 25/26 season progresses. It could also help Rodri in his bid to return to full fitness. Rodri’s 24/25 season was ended after he sustained an ACL injury against Arsenal last September. Rodri played at the FIFA Club World Cup and came out of the tournament with a minor injury concern. The hope is that after four weeks off Rodri is ready to hit the ground running for Manchester City’s pre-season.

Pep Guardiola and his squad now have the opportunity to implement new ideas and integrate new players into the City squad.

As Manchester City’s pre-season begins today the opportunity is there for Pep Guardiola and the new members of his staff to integrate new ideas. The seeds of this process were planted in the United States. The addition of coaches Pep Lijnders, Kolo Toure and James French to Pep Guardiola’s staff does give City’s coaching group a new look. There is also a wealth of new ideas for Pep Guardiola to tap into. The next three weeks of City’s pre-season will be vital to the process of new ideas being implemented.

The process of integrating new signings will continue beginning today. How Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders adjust to life at Manchester City will be crucial. All three players showed signs of what they’re capable of at the FIFA Club World Cup. The hope is that over the next three weeks each player will further grow into life at City. Manchester City’s pre-season will be crucial in this process.

The hard work begins today for Pep Guardiola’s squad. They begin the second stage of their pre-season with their Premier League opening fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux in their sights. The next few weeks are crucial to Pep Guardiola and his team and the foundations for the 25/26 will be laid over the coming weeks.