Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden were all absent as Manchester City lost the Community Shield 1-0 to Leicester at Wembley
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Pep Guardiola assesses Jack Grealish’s performance
Pep Guardiola wants to assess the “heads” of his returning England stars this week to see if they are ready for the start of the champions’ Premier League defence.
Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden were all absent as Manchester Citylost the Community Shield 1-0 to Leicester at Wembley.
The Three Lions quartet are due to return to training on Monday after an extended break following international duty after England’s Euro 2020 final loss on penalties on July 11, although Foden is said to still be carrying the foot injury that saw him miss the final.
The stars have been on holiday since but City boss Guardiola says some of them could go straight into the team on Sunday at Spurs in their first top-flight game.
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“They have the rest and now they can be ready but it depends on up here,” said Guardiola, tapping his temple.
“It depends on their heads.
“From Monday we will be all together.
“A few players get their conditions so quick.
“The other ones need a little bit more time.
“We will see the weight , the body fats, how they arrive but especially their heads.
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“We will try to discover which ones are ready immediately.
“There are players who play after just four days or five days and their mentality is positive and they are ready to fight and suffer in the bad conditions.
“Some of them need more time.
“We will try to discover which ones are ready immediately.”
Guardiola hopes City can reap the benefits of England’s run to the final though as the likes of Sterling, Walker and Stones excelled.
While City’s new £100million signing Jack Grealish also enhanced his reputation with England prior to last week’s record breaking move.
City’s coach added: “They have to be so proud of what they have done with the national team.
“The benefit and the confidence will be there.
“What they have done with the national team is for the memories but the challenge is again ahead of us and we will try to do a good season.”
