Manchester City will be hoping to get pre-season off to a flyer against Club América on Wednesday.
City ended the 2021/22 season in style, as they became Premier League Champions on the final day of the campaign, courtesy of an Ilkay Gundogan masterclass.
On 20th July, Pep Guardiola’s side are set to start preparations for next season by going toe-to-toe with Club América in the first of two pre-season friendlies in the United States.
The contest will be held at the NRG Stadium in Houston, before City face Bayern Munich on 23rd July, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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The likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte have been excluded from the 26-man travelling squad and as a result, will not be in contention to face the Mexican side.
As for Gundogan, he has been deemed unavailable to travel due to his vaccination status.
After getting his first COVID-19 jab in January this year, the German was intending to get a second vaccine before testing positive for the virus as recently as in June.
In the case of Laporte, the elegant defender is reported to be recovering from injury.
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However, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan and John Stones are expected to be travelling elsewhere in Europe for pre-season with the Elite Development Squad (EDS).
While Oleksandr Zinchenko has been named as a part of the squad, it is likely that he may join Arsenal in the United States as a move looks all but confirmed, which makes his availability for the upcoming fixture a major doubt.
With several key players potentially missing ahead of Manchester City’s first pre-season outing, here’s how we expect them to line up:
Predicted Team:
Stefan Ortega’s skills could be put to the test for the first time ever in a Manchester City shirt as he starts in between the sticks.
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In what could potentially be an extremely youthful defence, Kyle Walker could serve as the most experienced head in the backline.
Finley Burns continues to garner praise for his commanding performances for the Elite Development Squad, and pre-season could be the ideal opportunity for him to stake a claim for a first-team place in the near future.
With Luke Mbete recently signing a long-term contract with the club until 2027, Pep Guardiola may be intrigued to see how he fares in pre-season by giving him a chance to prove his potential, by starting on Wednesday.
After emerging as arguably the most impressive youngster in City’s 6-1 victory against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup last season, the gifted Josh Wilson-Esbrand may finally get a look into the starting line-up once again.
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Kalvin Phillips could join Stefan Ortega as one of the fresh faces that could make their first-ever appearances for the Sky Blues.
With several reports claiming that James McAtee could be set for a bigger role in the first-team next season, it is possible that Pep Guardiola gives the ‘Stockport Silva’ his time to shine against Club América from the very first minute.
Despite all the rumours circulating around Bernardo Silva’s and Barcelona, it would not be a surprise to see said speculation being put to bed with the Portuguese starting in midfield.
After Raheem Sterling’s departure to Chelsea, Cole Palmer is set to take his place in the first-team in the upcoming campaign and could be given a chance to lay down a marker in Houston.
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Another new signing that could be in for a start is Julian Alvarez in his familiar number nine role.
At left wing, Jack Grealish could be handed an opportunity to take a first step at silencing his critics by putting on a statement display.
Predicted Team: Stefan Ortega, Kyle Walker, Finley Burns, Luke Mbete, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Kalvin Phillips, James McAtee, Bernardo Silva, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez
Substitutes: Ederson, Scott Carson, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Rico Lewis, Joao Cancelo, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Oscar Bobb, Riyad Mahrez, Kayky, Ben Knight, Liam Delap, Erling Haaland.
Topics: Manchester City, Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker
Srinivas Sadhanand