Manchester City's contingent of players who took part in the Euro 2024 final last month will not be available for selection in Saturday's Community Shield, Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday.
City's England internationals Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones will not take part in Saturday's match against Manchester United, nor will Spanish midfielder Rodri. Spain defeated England in the Euro 2024 final on July 14 and Guardiola explained that the club's players who played in that match have not yet returned to training with the Sky Blues.
“We try to give them the best rest as possible as much as possible," Guardiola said. "We would like more time but it is what it is, we gave them a lot.
“All the players [from the other Euro 2024 nations] 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.”
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