Pep Guardiola has hinted at Manchester City having completed their summer transfer business, speaking during his first press conference of the FIFA Club World Cup.
City have acted early in the transfer window by completing the signings of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki in the space of 10 days for the quartet to be registered in time and eligible to feature at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Guardiola’s side return to action on Wednesday in their Club World Cup opener against Wydad AC in Philadelphia to kick off preparations for the new season after what was a largely disappointing 2024-25 campaign by all accounts.
The Blues have also been heavily linked with a new right-back amid interest in Newcastle’s Valentino Livramento and Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso whilst assessing the future(s) of certain first-team players who may leave the club between now and early September.
Speaking ahead of the Club World Cup opener against Wydad AC, Guardiola was quizzed for his thoughts on the club’s business in the summer market and whether any further reinforcements could be expected ahead of the European season.
“I don’t know, I don’t think so,” the 54-year-old said. “Really pleased (with the new arrivals) because all have huge, huge quality, but the club believes – alongside our opinions as staff and managers – what we need and they bring it.
“And with this incredible amount of games we have, 11 months every three or four days, everybody is going to play. I don’t know how far we will go (in the Club World Cup) but everybody will be involved.”
Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips have all been excluded from the Club World Cup squad and neither of the trio is expected to be a Manchester City player by the end of the transfer window.
Hugo Viana is spearheading Manchester City’s summer rebuild as the newly-appointed sporting director after the Blues failed to challenge for the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles last term.
Guardiola has been given the ammunition to rebuild his squad and challenge on all fronts once again next season, with Ballon d’Or holder Rodri amongst a long list of players who have returned to full fitness in time for the Club World Cup after struggling for fitness in the previous campaign.
“A few players will play more than other ones, but everybody is going to play because the season has to be like that,” Guardiola added.
“The last part of the season, the last month when we were out of the Champions League, we had long, long weeks and it was more difficult to rotate, but these guys play 11 months every three days, four days and when we rest a little as a manager, they go to the national team.
“Look at Bernardo (Silva) and Ruben (Dias) playing the (UEFA) Nations League – the final (against Spain) – one or two days and come back here already. Non-stop.
“And when we finish this tournament, I don’t know when, we’ll have a few days and then come back again and the Premier League starts. That’s why I’m happy to have these players and hopefully they can help us to adapt, and adapt as quick as possible.”
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