Man City will do something that's never been done before - even Pep Guardiola doesn't know what will happen

Pep Guardiola got it right when asked about the Club World Cup in Orlando and its potential effect on Manchester City as the domestic season gets underway next season.

"I try not to think about it, otherwise I will be so anxious," he said. That's probably the best way, because it's almost impossible to plan for. City will have done their best. Their sports science and medical teams will have all the data at their fingertips, but we are in uncharted territory here.

This is the first 32-team Club World Cup to be held in the summer. When these players are normally resting, they are instead training and playing in intense heat in the United States. Yes, there is a World Cup and a European Championship every couple of years, but that doesn't involve the whole squad, and even those who do play get knocked out at different times.

This year, the entire City squad could be in action until mid-July. The prize at the end will be worth it, both on the pitch and off it, but the impact it will have on the players is completely unknown.

Guardiola has suggested he will then give his squad time off, before they regather back in Manchester for the start of the Premier League season, which begins for the Blues on Saturday, August 16.

"After the competition, we will rest the time the Premier League allowed us to rest," Guardiola said before Monday's last-16 tie with Al Hilal.

"And then game by game, month by month, we will see. And maybe in November, December, January… we are a disaster. We are exhausted. The World Cup destroyed us. I don't know, but it's the first time in our life that that's happened.

"It's not an ideal situation for the manager. Would I love to have two months to prepare for next season? Yes. Would I love to be refreshed