Pep Guardiola arrives for Manchester City’s first day back in training
Manchester City players returned to training today with Pep Guardiola on his first day in the Manchester City hotseat.
With some players on an extended break following international duty, there were still first team players and coaching staff arriving at the City Football Academy today.
With Guardiola’s pre-season training regime seen as vital in his footballing philosophy, he has offered every squad member a clean slate going forward – and a chance to feature in his first team when the new season starts.
Amongst the arrivals were new Assistant coach Mikel Arteta and new signing Ilkay Gundogan.
And City released a video of Noel Gallagher’s interview with Guardiola on Youtube today.
Oleksandr Zinchenko signs for Manchester City
City have signed 19-year-old Ukraine midfielder from FC Ufa after confirming the news via their Twitter.
Manchester City are pleased to announce the transfer of Ukrainian midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko from FC Ufa. pic.twitter.com/9r2T0a0a0w
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 4, 2016
He becomes City’s fourth signing of the summer after featuring in all three of his country’s games at Euro 2016.
Although his country failed to score in any of their group games, Zinchenko became Ukraine’s youngest ever goalscorer at the age of 19 years and 214 days.
Although it was in a Euro 2016 warm-up game against Romania, Zinchenko beat Ukraine legend Andriy Shevchenko’s record in the 4-3 win.
The youngster follows in the footsteps of Ilkay Gundogan, Aaron Mooy and Nolito.
Kelechi Iheanacho will miss the Rio Olympics for a chance of first team action
Kelechi Iheanacho is another 19-year-old at Manchester City, and he appeared on stage alongside his new manager at the Cityzens Weekend on Sunday.
Iheanacho is understood to have accepted that he will be staying with City for the pre-season despite being included in Nigeria’s provisional squad for the Olympic tournament in Brazil this year.
The youngster will benefit from a full pre-season programme under Guardiola and will seek to establish himself as a first team regular with fierce competition from Sergio Aguero and Wilfried Bony for an attacking role.
He could also be competing with recently arrived Nolito, who was handed the number 9 shirt upon his arrival, and could see even more competition if City sign Leroy Sane.