'If you don't feel it, stay at home' - Pep Guardiola insists he will not rush Man City's Euro 2024 stars to return to the club for pre-season as he outlines timeline

The reigning English champions have already begun working on the grass after their summer break. They have flown to New York to honour their pre-season commitments across the Atlantic but without several first-team players who were busy playing major international tournaments with their respective nations.

Guardiola flew from Manchester with a depleted squad including several academy players. Although Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Ederson and Stefan Ortega are part of the roster, superstars like Kevin de Bruyne, Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, and Julian Alvarez are still enjoying their holidays.

Guardiola assured that he wants his players to rest and football can wait until they feel rejuvenated enough to get back into action.

“I said for them to come back when they have the desire to touch a ball again,” he said.

“If you don’t feel it, stay at home. Because it’s so long. Maybe some days before or after the Community Shield. That’s the plan. "We will suggest they do something before they arrive. I am more concerned they have energy and are happy to be in the locker room and training sessions. Then we say come back and welcome. I don’t want them to come back exhausted. It’s better if they stay at home a few more days.”

City will be fighting on six fronts in the next campaign and Guardiola wants a fresh squad who will have enough left in their tank to fight in the business end, when trophies will be won and lost. Their first competitive fixture is two weeks away against Manchester United in the Community Shield and by that time the Spaniard will likely have his entire squad at his disposal.