Pep Guardiola has confirmed when Manchester City quartet Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones will return to the club ahead of Saturday's Community Shield clash with Manchester United.
All four players were involved in the Euro 2024 final between England and champions Spain, with Rodri celebrating glory as Foden, Walker and Stones all settled for another runner-up medal, three year on from losing to Italy in the COVID-delayed Euro 2020 final.
A number of Man City's senior stars who represented their country over the summer returned to training earlier this week, including Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Manuel Akanji, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes and Joao Cancelo, who was on loan at Barcelona last season.
However, none of Rodri, Foden, Walker and Stones have made their comeback to the Citizens just yet, as they have been granted an extended break over the summer.
Guardiola has since revealed when the quartet will be returning to the club ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
© Reuters
Rodri, Foden, Walker, Stones to miss Community Shield
Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's showdown with Man United at Wembley, Guardiola said: "We try to give them the best rest as possible as much as possible. We would like more time but it is what it is, we gave them a lot.
"All the players came back, the England players and Rodri will come back next week. What we like to give them is what it is, don't think about the schedule.
"What's next? Training sessions, it's just step by step, the next game, try to be smart enough to the training and the right amount of time, so be fresh in the mind.
"So rotate the players as much as possible, and game by game we'll see what happens."
Meanwhile, one player who could return is goalkeeper Ederson, who missed the 4-2 friendly win over Chelsea due to some "niggles" but has since taken part in training this week.
© Imago
Guardiola comments on "important" Man United clash
Man City enter the new season after winning an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title in 2023-24, but they will be seeking revenge against Man United after losing 2-1 in the FA Cup final to their bitter rivals.
The Citizens have also suffered defeat in each of their last three appearances in the Community Shield and Guardiola is keen to see his side end the club's unwanted losing run in an "important" encounter against Erik ten Hag's men
"[Saturday's game is] important, it's a final against [Manchester] United. But part of that is to try refine ourselves step by step," Guardiola explained.
"Our break for most of the players and the young players, how they behave on a bigger stage, [this is] a good game. We will go for it."
Meanwhile, Guardiola has confirmed that Julian Alvarez is set to join Atletico Madrid on a permanent deal this summer and has explained why the forward has decided to leave the Etihad Stadium.
Oliver Thomas
