Anyone heading out on holiday via an airport will recognise the horror confronted by Manchester City in the last couple of days, as their planned flight to China was twice postponed.
The Manchester City squad eventually departed Manchester Airport on Monday 15 July after two days of flight delays and cancellations arising from difficulties with the paperwork and visas. Quite how a Club worth a billion pounds can find itself in that position will cause some consternation amongst the executives and may bring into question the role of Thomas Cook as official provider of travel arrangements!
The players who have made this trip seem relaxed on the snaps shared via their personal Instagram accounts and they have a hectic schedule ahead of exhibition matches and long distance travel, sandwiched around a trophy tour and countless marketing and fan interaction opportunities.
There are of course some notables absences in the playing squad given some players have been involved in the Copa America and Mahrez is still taking part in the African Cup of Nations. Gabriel Jesus, Ederson and Fernandinho are all officially on holiday, as are Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Aguero.
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The travelling squad has been confirmed as : Bravo, Walker, Danilo, Stones, Sterling, Gundogan, Zinchenko, Angelino, Laporte, Rodri, De Bruyne, Sane, Bernardo, Silva, Nmecha, Touaizi, Bazunu, Pozo, Doyle, Bolton, Garcia, Harwood-Bellis, Bernabe, Poveda, Knight, Diounkou, Foden.
There are clearly going to be some opportunities for some of the younger players to impress Guardiola and do enough to warrant their ongoing inclusion in first team training. Particular attention should be paid to the young centre back – Harwood-Bellis – who has the chance to stake a claim.
Whilst many of the players who have not travelled can be explained easily, the absence of some others is less clear. Eric Garcia played for the first team last season and is highly thought of but he seems to be away on Spain Under 19 Duty. Eliaquim Mangala has not featured which may suggest a move is in process.
Douglas Luiz appears to be in the USA with Aston Villa where he has reportedly agreed a £15 million permanent transfer, although this is yet to be officially announced.
Tosin Adarabioyo is nowhere to be seen though. Given he spent last season on loan at West Brom to gain first team experience, it may suggest he is on the move again.
City play their first game on tour on Wednesday 17 July against West Ham United in Nanjing, China.
They play their second game on Saturday 20 July in Shanghai, China but the opponents are not yet finalised as it depends upon whether City progress to the final of the Asia Trophy.
City then travel to Hong Kong on Wednesday 24 July where they will play Kitchee before concluding the tour against Yokohama Marinos F in Yokohama, Japan on Saturday 27 July.
We hope this will be a successful series of warm up games and will give many of our fans in the Far East a chance to see our City side in action.