Pep Guardiola admits Club World Cup could ‘destroy’ Manchester City in stark warning before Premier League return

Pep Guardiola admitted to not knowing the impact the Club World Cup will have on Manchester City next season and claimed it could ‘destroy’ them physically.

City head into the last 16 with the Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal in Orlando having been top scorers across the group stage and with a more harmonious camp than last term.

Guardiola believes the jaunt to America, where $133million (£97m) is on offer for the ultimate winners, has been beneficial in planning for another assault on the Premier League.

Yet some of his stars had a matter of days off between the June international window and FIFA’s new competition, with the league campaign starting a month after the final.

Asked if the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal will possess an advantage in the title race, Guardiola said: ‘I try not to think about it, otherwise I will be so anxious. I’m really pleased against Juventus, to go through, but most importantly is the fact that the players can visualize, “oh, we can do it again”.

‘We can be an aggressive team with the ball, without the ball. After the competition, we will rest the time the Premier League allowed us to rest.