The Qatar World Cup is less than a month away. But Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is showing no attention to the upcoming tournament. When asked if he is factoring the World Cup into his plans over the next three weeks, he simply shook his head. Guardiola even warned that if any players are focussing on their international chances more than City’s upcoming fixtures, they will not play.
City already has injury problems ahead of the World Cup. The English duo of Kalvin Philips and Kyle Walker are rushing to return to fitness before the World Cup. Centre-back John Stones has only recently recovered from a hamstring injury.
Pep Guardiola’s statements about the World Cup
As the Squads for the World Cup are to be announced soon, players will be careful not to pick up further injuries in the next three weeks. However, Guardiola has stated his desire for players to commit to City. He warned his players that he will smell if anyone is not fully committed and trying to save themselves for the World Cup. Guardiola spoke on the matter:
“He will not play if I smell this. I’m really good at smelling this. Tactics not, but smelling I’m really good. And what is going to happen is that they are going to play because they will get injured when they are not ready. When you are focused, you don’t get injured. Brighton is the only thing that matters to me, and the team. I know, but also they can lose their place in the World Cup by not selected or many reasons so they have to be focused every single until the end. It is just two weeks and if you are here, you will be perfect for the World Cup. Otherwise, you will be in trouble.”
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