Manchester City's pre-season preparations are officially underway, with the majority of the first team squad arriving back at the City Football Academy on Monday.
City players have been granted an extra week off compared to many other Premier League clubs, and they will train for a week at the CFA before flying to the USA for two pre-season games.
Cameras spotted new signings Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez checking in at the first team building within the training ground, with 20 players spotted arriving in all. While there is no training footage yet, we've picked out some talking points from the first day of pre-season.
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Varying fashion choices
After a summer to relax and rewind without much international football, City's players have been away on holiday with friends and family for a month. Of the players seen arriving at the CFA on Monday, most looked in good spirits, and some were displaying some interesting fashion choices.
Aymeric Laporte drew a comment from reception staff for his multicoloured outfit, while Ilkay Gundogan was complimented for his smart-casual black shirt and white trousers. Many others arrived in t-shirts and jeans, while Ruben Dias, Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake were already kitted out in the new training kit.
Stones welcomes Alvarez
As John Stones got himself re-acquainted with club staff just inside the reception, Julian Alvarez arrived, and the number five was keen to give the new striker a warm welcome. Later, Kevin De Bruyne walked in, giving Stones a personalised handshake as he said hello to everyone.
When Kyle Walker had walked in, carrying many of his clothes without a bag, he declared himself excited for the new season, and on social media said: "First day back at school and already lost my school bag."
Ake in good spirits
Nathan Ake is the subject of growing reports that he could be joining Chelsea, with claims that the London club are negotiating with City over a fee for the versatile Dutchman. MEN Sport reported last month that City won't let Ake go for under £50m, and they would need a replacement lined up in this window.
And Ake was all smiles as he returned to City training on Monday to prepare for the new season in Manchester, rather than down at Stamford Bridge. Of course, things could change quickly, but Ake is a player praised for his attitude when he isn't playing, so transfer speculation is unlikely to affect his mentality in pre-season.
Who was missing?
From a combination of City's footage and photos published, there were eight players not spotted arriving - although this doesn't necessarily mean they were not present, just that their arrivals weren't published.
Kalvin Phillips missed City's transfer event on Sunday through illness and wasn't spotted, while Raheem Sterling would have been a surprise arrival having been in London to complete a medical ahead of a move to Chelsea.
Jack Grealish and Joao Cancelo were also not seen, although they have been active on social media after returning from their holidays, while Rodri was another not sighted. New signing Stefan Ortega was also absent from footage, but he was at the event on Sunday, though.
Zack Steffen was another not pictured, with a loan move to Middlesbrough likely after Ortega's free transfer.
Five youngsters in 20-man squad
Of the players definitely seen, there were five youngsters arriving back with the first team for pre-season - Kayky, Cole Palmer, James McAtee, Sam Edozie and Luke Mbete. All players were asked to give their passports to reception, and Erling Haaland was asked about his US Visa, so maybe those players could be set for inclusion on the trip to Houston and Green Bay next week.
Liam Delap was posting footage of an individual training session on Monday with a private coach, so may also be ready to return.
In total, the following 20 players were spotted:
Ederson, Carson, Ake, Dias, Laporte, Stones, Walker, Zinchenko, Mbete, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Palmer, McAtee, Mahrez, Kayky, Edozie, Haaland, Alvarez.
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