Pep Guardiola is plotting a warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi this month to aid Manchester City's Premier League title ambitions.
Guardiola and Co have not long returned from abroad, winning the FIFA World Club Cup in Saudi Arabia for the first time in their history. And since returning to England they've returned to form again in the Premier League, beating Everton and Sheffield United to move within two points of leaders Liverpool.
And their previously-hectic schedule relents in January, with City playing just three times. They host Huddersfield in the FA Cup on January 7, before top-flight clashes with Newcastle (January 13) and Burnley (January 31).
And it's between the latter two fixtures that Guardiola is looking to seize an opportunity. During the latter stages of the 2022 World Cup last December, a number of City players went to the United Arab Emirates for a training camp, with the manager citing that trip as pivotal in what proved a trophy-laden 2023.
“After Newcastle, if it’s possible, we go to Abu Dhabi again, all together," he told reporters. “Last season we were there in the World Cup and it had an incredible impact for the staff and everyone. The five titles prove it.
“We go there to train in better weather, to be together - training, training and training to prepare for the second part of the season. That is the plan but maybe we’ll change it, I don’t know yet.”
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Guardiola is set to be handed a huge double boost this month, with the returns to fitness of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne. And despite their ropey run of one win in six top-flight games pre-Christmas, his side remain favourites to land a fourth straight title.
And City are also set to get an early bit of business done in the January transfer window, albeit a deal designed for the future. The club have reached an agreement with River Plate for 17-year-old superstar Claudio Echeverri.
The Argentinian will sign on a six-year deal for £22million. However, he'll immediately be loaned back out to his current club, and head to England in January 2025.
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