Pep Guardiola will not accept any slacking from his players on their 2019 pre-season tour.
Having become the first team in a decade to retain the Premier League title, Manchester City's attempt to make it three in a row begins in China, Hong Kong and Japan, with the squad flying out to Shanghai on Saturday .
City's manager has previously used pre-season to confirm his plans for the beginning of the campaign, with Leroy Sane twice left out of first-team plans following his failure to impress over summer. And Guardiola will expect players to put the effort in for every game and training session to show him they have the desire to carry on setting the standard in English football.
"It’s a pleasure for me to take this group of players to Asia," he told the club website .
"I love working with them and for us to travel together, experience a different culture and play in front of new fans will be fantastic for everyone involved.
"If we want to continue the success we’ve enjoyed over the last two seasons, a positive pre-season is vital. I want my players to train and play with intensity during our time in Asia and I’m sure the games we have planned will be great to watch.
"I look forward to meeting the fans and beginning our preparations for the 2019-20 season."
