Why six Manchester City players are absent from the FIFA Club World Cup travelling squad list | OneFootball

Manchester City’s travelling squad list for the FIFA Club World Cup has been confirmed with a number of notable absentees identified by supporters.

Pep Guardiola and his players have touched down in Florida this week where they will be based for the summer’s tournament, with group stages clashes against opposition from the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Italy on the agenda.

Among the names included within the travelling contingent are the quartet of new signings in Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Marcus Bettinelli, while it is also the first summer in which the January arrivals will endure with the club.

However, upon receiving confirmation of Manchester City’s 27-man travelling squad, a list of six names were notably missing with clear explanations behind all such players, put down to either a lack of fitness or their futures being in doubt.

Beginning in defence, both Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji were not listed in the travelling squad that departed Manchester Airport on Thursday afternoon for Fort Lauderdale in Florida.

The veteran full-back has returned to Manchester City from his loan spell at AC Milan after the Italian side opted not to make his switch permanent this summer, although Etihad Stadium officials will be seeking an exit for the 35-year-old urgently, with a sale preferred.

As for Akanji, the Swiss international defender was already present in the United States following his international break commitments with Switzerland and a double-header of friendly fixtures against Mexico and the USA.

A trio of midfield names are also not present, with Kalvin Phillips and Mateo Kovacic recovering from respective surgical procedures on Achilles injuries, while the former is expected to leave on a permanent deal this summer, although suitors remain unknown.

James McAtee completes the trio of absences from the centre of the park as he is on international duty with England’s Under-21s at the European Championships in Slovakia, where he also captains the side.

That leaves Jack Grealish as the final big name absentee, with the England international and his entourage working on a possible solution to his uncertain future, which is more likely to lie away from Manchester City as all parties believe now is the most suitable time to part ways.

Manchester City begin their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a clash against Wydad AC on Wednesday 18 June, before facing Al Ain on Monday 23 June at 2:00AM (UK), concluding the group stage against Juventus on Thursday 26 June.