JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia -- Pep Guardiola has challenged his Manchester City players to "close a little circle" and win a clean sweep of trophies under his management with the Club World Cup.
City have won the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Super Cup and the Community Shield since Guardiola took over as manager in 2016.
The only one missing is the Club World Cup, which they can win in Saudi Arabia this week.
City start with a semifinal against Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on Tuesday before a potential final on Friday.
"We want to win it," Guardiola said in a news conference on Monday.
"It's a trophy we don't have. It's a chance to close a little circle, to win all we could do. Maybe we don't have another chance, maybe yes. In the Premier League, we always have a game in the next three days. It's difficult to be here. The players know it and we'll try to perform well."
City have arrived in Saudi Arabia on the back of a disappointing run of just three wins from their last eight games in all competitions.
The 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday left Guardiola's team fourth in the table, five points behind leaders Arsenal, but the Club World Cup allows them the chance to forget about the Premier League for a week and get away from Manchester's winter weather.
Kevin De Bruyne, who hasn't played since the opening weekend of the season because of a hamstring injury, trained with the team on Monday evening but Erling Haaland was absent as he continues his recovery from a foot problem.
"The weather is a dream," Guardiola said.
"Having it in December, we're not used to it where we live in the UK. The weather is really good.
"It's a different competition. When we come back to the UK to play Everton it'll be completely different. We'd prefer better results but except for Villa the performance was excellent."
This year's Club World Cup will be the last of its kind before an expanded version of the tournament begins in 2025 in the United States. The new version will include 32 clubs -- City have already qualified along with Premier League rivals Chelsea -- and the winning team will play seven games.
"I think FIFA took a decision and all the clubs support that decision," Guardiola said.
"I am part of the clubs. I am not against new competitions. I am against the lack of time to recover between years. This is what I'm complaining about. For me it doesn't matter to play every three days, six days, seven days, it is okay.
"But it is really, really tough to finish the season and in three weeks you have to restart again."
Meanwhile, City have been fined £120,000 after their players surrounded referee Simon Hooper during the 3-3 draw with Tottenham following his decision not to allow an advantage when Jack Grealish appeared to be through on goal in the final minutes.
An FA statement issued on Monday read: "Manchester City FC admitted that they failed to ensure their players did not behave in an improper way during the 94th minute."
Grealish, 29, looks set for a move away from the Etihad this summer after struggling for minutes last season.Jack Grealish has reportedly agreed to train away from the rest of the Man City teamThe winger has been unable to tie down a place as a regular starter under Pep Guardiola in recent seasons and started just seven Premier League games last term.While Guardiola chose to leave Grealish out of ...

Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal has won 1 championship Arsenal 1-0 MilanCoach Kepa has to handle it himself. EPL Strikers Joining Aston Villa vs Joining FC Barcelona This Agenda starts now Huge Neckitike lol Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss)...

Manchester United could go into the season without a new striker following a frustrating search for a recognised No. 9, sources have told ESPN.Ruben Amorim's squad has been boosted by the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo -- who scored 35 Premier League goals combined last season -- in deals worth a a total of £135 million ($183m).Amorim has also been keen to add a new striker in the...

Real Madrid have already signed four players this summer, and it is not ruled out that a fifth joins Xabi Alonso's squad for the 2025-26 season. And if that were to be the case, it would almost certainly be a midfielder, given that this is the club's new transfer priority following the arrival of Alvaro Carreras last week.Sales are needed before any new signings can be made, but with the likes of ...

According to a report from Florian Plettenberg, Paris Saint-Germain are closely monitoring Real Madrid's Rodrygo (24), who has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in recent days. Les Parisiens have reportedly expressed their interest, and are looking out for a young top class winger. Yet Plettenberg reports their approach will depend on other market opportunities.This comes after Foot Mer...

Chelsea move quickly to strike agreement with HatoChelsea are reportedly pushing forward to finalise the signing of Ajax's highly-rated defender Jorrel Hato, with the Premier League side now entering the latter stages of negotiations after reaching an agreement with the player on personal terms.Chelsea still keen on Rogers & Garnacho despite Simons moveChelsea retain an interest in signing bot...

Manchester City FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier LeagueBarcelona have confirmed the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Barca have confirmed the signing of Rashford on loan from United, with an announcement video that shows the forward in a London phone box. He becomes the first Englishman to play for the Catalan club since Gary Lineker, who departed Camp Nou in 1989,...

Igor Paixao Feyenoord 2024-25Leeds are weighing up a move for Feyenoord striker Igor Paixao as they look to boost their Premier League survival hopes this season.WHAT HAPPENED?Leeds are looking to follow in the footsteps of promotion rivals Sunderland and splash the cash on a few important signings this summer, with Paixao near the top of the list for attacking reinforcements.Paixao FeyenoordTHE B...

Manchester United v Leeds United - Pre-Season FriendlyAbdellah Ouazane’s move to Real Madrid collapsed after a failed medical, with Manchester United now expected to step up their interest.WHAT HAPPENED?Ouazane had previously rejected a contract extension from Ajax, but following the collapse of his move to Real Madrid, the Dutch club are now hopeful of securing his renewal, according to Mun...

Garnacho RogersChelsea retain an interest in signing both Alejandro Garnacho and Morgan Rogers this summer as they continue a wild summer of spending. WHAT HAPPENED?Per The Telegraph, Chelsea remain interested in signing both Rogers and Garnacho this summer, from Aston Villa and Manchester United respectively, despite their pursuit of Xavi Simons. The Blues have already committed to spending £...



- 1 Chelsea Deny Late Move to Hijack Man United Deal for Bryan Mbeumo
- 2 Liverpool ace Diaz agrees personal terms with Bayern Munich
- 3 Man City make move for Jules Kounde
- 4 Enzo Fernandez agrees Real Madrid move
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Diaz determined to leave for Bayern
- 8 AC Milan Reach Agreement with Brighton for Pervis Estupinan Transfer
- 9 'Man Utd are losing a great player!' - Paul Pogba reacts to Marcus Rashford's 'crazy' imminent transfer to Barcelona
- 10 Former Arsenal star Xhaka to reject Premier League return