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Pep Guardiola vs Premier League Over Manchester City’s Request for Postponed Games After Club World Cup

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Pep Guardiola has once again found himself at odds with the Premier League, this time due to Manchester City’s request for a delayed start to the 2025-26 season. The request was made in light of the team’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled to run until July 2025. Guardiola’s concern is that City’s players will face burnout due to the tight turnaround between their summer commitments and the start of the new Premier League season.

Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup Schedule
With the expanded 32-team Club World Cup taking place in the United States, Manchester City’s season could extend as late as July 13 if they reach the final. This would leave them just four weeks to prepare for the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season, including squeezing in player holidays and pre-season preparations. Guardiola is particularly concerned about the physical toll this tight schedule will place on his squad, especially given that City could also play in the Community Shield, leaving them with an even shorter break.

Guardiola’s Frustration with the Premier League
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Fulham, Guardiola revealed that the club’s inquiries into postponing their opening games of the 2025-26 season have been met with resistance from the Premier League. “The Premier League has not allowed us to postpone – and Chelsea as well – our first two games to give us more recovery time,” Guardiola explained. He went on to say, “I think the club asked for one or two weeks’ delay after the World Cup, but the Premier League said no. It’s not going to happen.”

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Premier League’s Position on Game Postponements
The Premier League is facing its own scheduling challenges, particularly with the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the expansion of European club competitions. The addition of the FIFA Club World Cup into what is typically a quieter summer has made finding available dates for postponements difficult. While City’s request has not been formally rejected, the club has been given little hope of a delay, leaving Guardiola and his players to prepare for an intense and grueling season.

Manchester City’s Upcoming Challenges
The impact of the FIFA Club World Cup on Manchester City’s schedule is just one of the club’s concerns. City is already under scrutiny as they face a hearing into 115 charges of alleged rule-breaking, including failing to cooperate with a Premier League investigation. The strained relationship between the club and the league could complicate any future negotiations regarding fixture changes.

Guardiola’s main concern, however, is the physical wellbeing of his squad. “We’ll go with the whole squad to the Club World Cup, but the problem is the fatigue and tiredness that will come after,” Guardiola said. He emphasized the difficulty of balancing competitive commitments with player health, noting, “It’s going to happen [tiredness], especially when you finish the season and immediately have to head to the States for another tournament.”

Conclusion
As Manchester City prepares for a packed 2025 calendar, Pep Guardiola’s frustration with the Premier League is evident. The denial of City’s request to delay the start of their 2025-26 campaign only heightens concerns over player burnout and scheduling conflicts. With the Club World Cup demanding City’s best players, Guardiola must navigate a tough balance between competing for trophies and managing the physical demands of a relentless football calendar.

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Manchester City

Man City’s Strategy for Nico Gonzalez and New Signings Before Real Madrid Clash

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Manchester City supporters may witness the club’s latest signings in action at Brisbane Road on Saturday, as Pep Guardiola looks to integrate Nico Gonzalez into the squad to strengthen the defensive midfield.

Guardiola’s Plans for Nico Gonzalez

Pep Guardiola is counting on new arrival Nico Gonzalez to fill the void left by Rodri in the Manchester City midfield. The 23-year-old, signed from Porto for £50 million on transfer deadline day, was the only midfield addition. While City did not want to acquire a mere backup for Rodri, Guardiola is preparing for the possibility that the Spaniard may not return this season.

Guardiola highlighted Gonzalez’s versatility, explaining that he can play in multiple positions but will primarily be deployed in the No.6 role. While the club aims to ease the pressure on Gonzalez, he will be tasked with stabilizing a midfield that has struggled to maintain control in recent matches.

“At the moment, yes,” Guardiola stated. “I didn’t bring him in to play further up the field, as we already have several options in attack. While he can operate in various roles, his primary duty will be to shield the defense.

“I believe he is ready, but we will assess him over the coming days in training. His initial impact has been positive, but I won’t put excessive pressure on him to resolve all our issues immediately. He is here to help us become more stable.”

Possible Debut in FA Cup Clash

Gonzalez could make his first start on Saturday against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round. The match serves as City’s final fixture before their crucial showdown with Real Madrid, and Guardiola is hopeful of having more players available by then.

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In addition to Gonzalez, three other new signings are expected to be involved, alongside returning players Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, and Ederson, all of whom are nearing full fitness. Guardiola hinted that fresh faces could be featured at the Gaughan Group Stadium, though one of Abdukodir Khusanov or Vitor Reis may have to settle for a bench role as the coach looks to avoid a major upset.

“We will see. I have an idea for the lineup,” Guardiola said. “I have one or two uncertainties, but that is normal. Playing two new players simultaneously might be risky against a team performing well lately.

“It would be great to have our injured players back, but if they’re not fully fit and we push them too soon, we risk further setbacks. We are consulting with the medical team to determine the safest approach. Some recoveries are straightforward, while others are more complex.”

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Manchester City Bolsters Midfield with Nico Gonzalez, Pushing Spending Beyond $200M

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Manchester City has made another significant move in the January transfer window, surpassing the $200 million spending mark with the acquisition of midfielder Nico Gonzalez from Porto. This signing aims to compensate for the absence of Rodri, who has been sidelined with a long-term injury.

Strengthening the Midfield

Gonzalez, City’s fifth addition of the window, could prove to be the most crucial, as the club has struggled for energy and stability in midfield following Rodri’s knee injury in September. The 23-year-old, son of former Deportivo La Coruna player Fran Gonzalez, was a Barcelona academy graduate before moving to Porto in 2023 for a reported €8.5 million ($8.7 million).

City triggered Gonzalez’s €60 million ($61.8 million) release clause to secure his services, marking a huge profit for Porto. Barcelona is set to receive 40% of the transfer fee as part of a prior agreement.

A Busy Transfer Window

Manchester City has taken an unusual approach this January, spending heavily to address a faltering campaign. The club recently suffered a demoralizing 5-1 loss to Arsenal, highlighting the need for reinforcements.

The window began with the signings of defenders Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens and Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for a combined $77 million. This was followed by Egypt forward Omar Marmoush, who joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for $73 million. Additionally, City signed 18-year-old left-back Christian McFarlane from sister club New York City FC and registered teenage center-back Juma Bah before loaning him to Lens.

Injury Crisis and Form Struggles

City’s squad has been plagued by injuries. Rodri’s absence has been a significant blow, while the team’s four primary center-backs—Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji—have all dealt with fitness issues, leaving the team vulnerable.

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These setbacks have contributed to City’s slump in form. The club is now effectively out of the Premier League title race and only secured Champions League playoff qualification after a dramatic comeback win against Club Brugge.

Manager Pep Guardiola initially had no plans to enter the January market but was forced to act due to mounting injuries and declining performances.

Pressure on Gonzalez

Gonzalez faces high expectations as he steps into the defensive midfield role—a position that has proven challenging under Guardiola. Even Rodri, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, took time to adapt to Guardiola’s tactical demands.

Meanwhile, speculation looms over City’s future, with a highly anticipated legal ruling in English football set to impact the club. Potential consequences include expulsion from the Premier League or restrictions on future spending. This uncertainty may have influenced City’s decision to accelerate its recruitment strategy, securing young talent before any possible sanctions take effect.

Big-Spending January Windows

City’s spending spree is the second-largest ever in a January window, trailing only Chelsea’s unprecedented $350 million splurge in 2023. Chelsea’s acquisitions included Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Benoît Badiashile.

The impact of City’s new signings has been mixed so far. Khusanov endured a rough start, making an error that led to a goal just minutes into his debut against Chelsea, though he steadied himself in a 3-1 victory. Reis and McFarlane are yet to feature, while Marmoush impressed against Chelsea and showed promise versus Arsenal before City suffered another second-half collapse.

With the January window now closed, City will be hoping these additions help turn their season around and provide stability amid ongoing challenges.

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Kyle Walker Reflects on ‘Tough’ Guardiola Talks and His Move to AC Milan

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Kyle Walker has opened up about the challenging conversation he had with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola before finalizing his loan switch to AC Milan.

Earlier this month, Guardiola confirmed that Walker had expressed his desire to leave the club and pursue a new opportunity abroad, marking the end of a turbulent period for the England defender.

The 34-year-old had faced criticism for his performances during a difficult first half of the season, prompting him to seek a fresh start. Milan secured Walker on a loan deal with an option to make the transfer permanent in the summer for €5 million (£4.2 million).

With the move, it seems increasingly likely that Walker has played his last game for City, where he made 319 appearances and collected a glittering array of trophies, including six Premier League titles and the 2022-23 Champions League.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Walker reflected on his departure and the difficult conversation he had with Guardiola.

“When I sat down with Pep, it wasn’t the easiest discussion – mainly because of the respect we have for one another,” Walker admitted. “What he’s achieved at City, I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of. I’d like to think he recognizes the value I brought, not just on the pitch but in the dressing room, too.”

Walker expressed gratitude for his time at Manchester City, calling it his “family” and praising the bond he shared with everyone, from staff to teammates. However, the lack of game time made his decision to leave unavoidable.

“I wasn’t playing as much as I wanted, and things just weren’t clicking,” Walker said. “I’ve always been someone who wants to contribute fully, and it felt like the right time for a new challenge. Hopefully, I can get back to playing regularly here.”

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The defender revealed that a “gut feeling” convinced him to join the Rossoneri, especially given their stature as five-time European champions.

“I could’ve stayed at City and honored my contract if they hadn’t agreed to let me go – that’s just who I am,” Walker explained. “But sometimes, you need to trust your instincts. I’ve spoken to so many players who regret never moving abroad, and I didn’t want to be one of them.

“If it wasn’t a club like Milan, I wouldn’t have left City. But there are certain opportunities you just can’t turn down.”

Now part of a growing English contingent at Milan, Walker joins fellow countrymen Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Tammy Abraham.

Though he won’t be eligible to feature in Milan’s midweek Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb, Walker is expected to make his debut in Sunday’s heated derby against Inter Milan.

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