City’s Arrival and Pre-Season Schedule
Manchester City has arrived in Hong Kong to commence their pre-season tour in Asia. The team, under the management of Enzo Maresca, landed after a flight from Manchester and immediately engaged in a stretching session that included group activities. This marks the beginning of their preparations for the upcoming 2026/27 season.
The Asian tour includes three matches. Their first fixture is against Inter in Hong Kong on Saturday, August 1. Following this, the squad will travel to South Korea to play a K League All Stars side on August 5, and then conclude the tour against Atletico Madrid in Seoul on August 9. All three matches are scheduled to be broadcast live globally for CITY+ subscribers.
Despite expectations of a depleted squad due to the recent World Cup, a significant number of first-team players are participating. Only those who reached the quarter-finals or later stages of the tournament are expected to miss the tour entirely. Players such as Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Antoine Semenyo are believed to be with the team in East Asia.
Squad Composition and Player Focus
Key players like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Phil Foden, Nico Gonzalez, Marcus Bettinelli, Rico Lewis, and Savinho are available for the tour, having either not qualified for or not been selected for the World Cup. They are expected to be joined by others who were eliminated earlier in the tournament, including Gvardiol, Dias, Semenyo, Abdukodir Khusanov, Matheus Nunes, Tijjani Reijnders, Omar Marmoush, and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Kalvin Phillips is also part of the touring squad. A decision regarding Jack Grealish‘s participation will be made closer to the time, as he continues his recovery from foot surgery in February. Maresca has expressed his desire to help Foden return to his top form, noting their positive relationship from Maresca’s previous role as Pep Guardiola‘s assistant.
Maresca also commented on Grealish, stating that he is a Manchester City player and that it is his duty to coach the players belonging to the club. He mentioned maintaining a good relationship with Grealish since his departure from the club. Meanwhile, James Trafford is anticipated to leave the club this summer, with Maresca offering a non-committal response regarding his future amidst interest from other teams.
Off-Field Developments and Future Outlook
Away from the pitch, Hugo Viana, the director of football, is expected to be active in resolving several issues before the Premier League campaign begins on Sunday, August 23, with a home fixture against Bournemouth. A primary concern is the situation surrounding Rodri, who is reportedly attracting interest from Real Madrid and is open to a move to the Spanish club.
While City has hoped for Rodri to sign a new contract, they are also considering potential replacements in midfield. The club is also looking to strengthen other areas, including a right-back and a winger, and to reinforce any positions affected by player departures. The new away kit for Manchester City is scheduled to be launched in Hong Kong later this week.
Maresca confirmed that players like Erling Haaland, Rodri, Rayan Cherki, and the England international players will rejoin the squad approximately three to four days before the Community Shield match against Arsenal in Cardiff on Sunday, August 16.
Source: mancity.com
As Latest News UK's Sports Reporter, Hannah Whitfield reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name covering the county circuit and Team GB at two Commonwealth Games. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from Loughborough University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Hannah lives in Bristol, where she plays club tennis and coaches a junior side. “Sport is at its best when you let the athletes tell the story.”