New-Look Manchester City Enter Club World Cup Amid Major Squad Overhaul

Manchester City arrives at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup determined to recover from a disappointing season devoid of major trophies, including losing the Premier League to Liverpool and an early Champions League exit. The club has undergone a significant transformation, spending over £270 million on new signings like Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and others, while excluding former key players such as Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish from the squad. Manager Pep Guardiola, regarded as one of the greatest, is supported by new assistant Pep Lijnders, formerly of Liverpool, who is influencing a potentially more direct and faster style of play. Despite initial reluctance among players over fixture congestion and tournament scheduling, the squad, featuring Ballon d’Or winner Rodri back from injury, is focused on turning the page and embracing the tournament as a fresh start. Fans have shown a renewed enthusiasm for the team, intrigued by lineup choices and the club’s new direction, viewing the Club World Cup as an opportunity to regain prestige. This marks a new chapter for City, who seek to reassert themselves as a global football powerhouse amid significant squad and tactical changes.