Two Man City players could change Pep Guardiola plans after bold calls

Manchester City are keen to give their players rest over the summer to protect them for the long season ahead.

At the same time, Pep Guardiola really does love it when anyone in his squad is able to give up a bit of holiday to show up for the team. Whether that be coming back early from injury or from international commitments, the effort is appreciated.

Cole Palmer and Sergio Gomez will already have gained recognition then simply by being in Tokyo so soon after they both contested the final of the Under-21 European Championship. Nobody would have batted an eyelid if either had asked for more rest yet they have travelled with the squad to Japan determined to make an impression.

There are impressions to be made too, with neither fully satisfied with their work last season. Gomez struggled to make it as a left-back having initially been pencilled in for a loan, while Palmer didn't make the most of the opportunities when they came his way.

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City's plan so far this summer has been for Palmer to spend next season on loan, with Brighton heading a list of clubs interested in taking the dynamic young playmaker. There are also question marks over Gomez and how he fits into the squad given his lack of game time this season.

At the same time, the squad is small and Guardiola is regularly open to players making his mind up for him on whether they should be involved in his plans. Oleksandr Zinchenko constantly defied the club's plans to sell him before finally going to Arsenal on his terms, while Bernardo Silva has always knuckled down after transfer windows where he was looking to leave.

Could Palmer show in his best position that there might be logic to keeping