Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has suggested that those returning from international duty at the World Cup will be in a better state than those who didn't feature in Qatar.
The reigning Premier League champions have quite the first game back as they take on long-term title rivals Liverpool at home in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. The visit of Jurgen Klopp's men will be the first time City have kicked a ball in a competitive sense since early November.
City saw their players get more World Cup minutes under their belt than any of their top six rivals and had 16 players make the trip to Qatar, with the Julian Alvarez going the full distance and winning the competition.
Some managers may be concerned about that, but Guardiola has taken a slightly different stance on the situation and is actually notably upbeat over those returning.
Speaking ahead of the League Cup clash against the Reds, the City boss explained: "We will see. I have a feeling the players in the World Cup are a better condition than we were here.
"Sergio [Gomez], Erling [Haaland], Riyad [Mahrez], Cole [Palmer], they miss a little bit. Compared to Manu [Akanji], Rodri, Aymeric [Laporte]. The players who come back competed and trained every day, while we had a holiday.
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"That's why tomorrow is important. To keep the rhythm and for the players who were not at the World Cup, to gain that rhythm."
One player who was not at the World Cup was City's talismanic forward Erling Haaland, who has been in sensational form this term with an astonishing return of 18 league goals in 13 appearances.
Many have tipped the Norwegian striker to continue that kind of form in front of goal during the second-half of the season considering he's had more than a month to rest, but Guardiola's recent comments appear to suggest he isn't so sure.
After a brief period of recovery and presumably some celebration, Alvarez will also return to add even more fire-power to City's front-line as they set their sights on a fifth league title in six seasons.
City currently find themselves in the unfamilar position of second, five points behind surprise league-leaders Arsenal who are of course guided by Guardiola's former assistant Mikel Arteta.
With another former City and current Arsenal figure in Gabriel Jesus having to undergo knee surgery, Guardiola will be confident that his side can catch and leapfrog the Gunners.
