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World Cup star set to join pre-season tour earlier than expected

By James Fudge

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15: Benjamin Mendy of France celebrates with the World Cup Trophy following his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15: Benjamin Mendy of France celebrates with the World Cup Trophy following his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City’s squad for their pre-season tour has been confirmed with a number of World Cup stars expected to join at a later date.

The team departed from Manchester Airport for Chicago as they embark on their tour of the United States. A number of surprising names were included on the list, with the squad built up of youngsters, a couple of World Cup stars and players linked with their future away from the Etihad Stadium.

Joe Hart, Patrick Roberts, Jason Denayer and Oleksandr Zinchenko are the names that have been linked with other clubs this summer but included within the touring party. They may be required to leave early though to sort out their futures away from the club.

The World Cup stars of Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva will be joining up with the squad at a later date. The Frenchman’s injury-hit season may have contributed to the eagerness to rejoin up with the squad, even though he was the last squad member to leave the tournament in Russia with the trophy and another winners medal.

Bernardo Silva will also be eager to join up with the touring party as he faces increased competition following the singing of Riyad Mahrez, who is enjoying a pre-season programme to impress.

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City’s Belgium and England stars will unlikely feature prior to the Community Shield against Chelsea, while the stars who departed the tournament early may join after the pre-season tour and could feature against the FA Cup winners.

Pep Guardiola has previously stated that he will give his World Cup stars a minimum break of at least three weeks to give his players a mental and physical rest.

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One person who feels he doesn’t need that period of rest after aiming for a return earlier than expected is John Stones. The signing from Everton was a leading contender for England’s best player in the tournament, however finds himself still competing for his place with Vincent Kompany, Aymeric Laporte and Nicolas Otamendi in the heart of the back four.

"“I’m going to go back in for the first game against Chelsea in the Community Shield. I just want to keep the momentum going. I will have a break. I will just make sure I am fighting fit for the new season.” – John Stones"

They will start their pre-season with a game against Borussia Dortmund at Soldier Field on 21 July, with following games against Liverpool and Bayern Munich in New Jersey and Miami, respectively.

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