Manchester City are planning a warm-weather training camp during the World Cup, Pep Guardiola has revealed.
City finish the first half of their Premier League season on November 12 against Brentford, and aren't back in action until December 28 when they resume their campaign at Leeds. The majority of the squad will be in Qatar for the World Cup, however, some - including Erling Haaland - will not be at the tournament.
Manchester United revealed this week they will be travelling to Spain during the six-week break and playing two friendlies, and Guardiola confirmed City are planning a similar to trip to Abu Dhabi, where owner Sheikh Mansour is based.
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"The best way to enjoy the matches is at home with red wine," Guardiola said, confirming he won't be attending the Qatar tournament and that City will try to play a friendly or two in the break.
"We will have one or two weeks off and then we will go here, maybe go to Abu Dhabi, maybe organise a friendly game. It’s not definitive but we will train, come back on the 28th of November and be ready as much as possible.
"Maybe we spend three weeks here in the winter time in Manchester like anybody knows [the weather]. Take a break with good training sessions and good weather where our owners are there so maybe we will do it. Maybe a few days after we come back from 10 days off after Brentford.
"Maybe we have a few days here and then travel there but it is not 100 per cent confirmed, but we are going to try.
"Like international breaks, all the staff, too, it's good to take a break. Unfortunately for players cannot happen. The next few days after the game I don't look [at tactics] but I talk with staff, more time to analyse. We will take one week, 10 days to refresh minds."
Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez and Stefan Ortega are the only players either confirmed to miss the World Cup already or unlikely to be called up. Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips are both facing a race to be fit for the England squad and Guardiola said they are not likely to have many opportunities to play before the tournament. Fringe players like Sergio Gomez and Cole Palmer could also be part of any travelling squad.
City enjoyed similar training camps in Abu Dhabi in 2017 and 2018.
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