We return to action with a Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday (kick-off 20:00 UK), just four days after the World Cup final in Qatar.
Julian Alvarez returned to Buenos Aires to join in the celebrations after Argentina’s success and is set for a short period of rest before returning to the CFA.
But for some of his team-mates, the tournament ended in disappointment, though Guardiola says they are mentally strong enough to put it behind them quickly.
“My first feeling is they will be okay,” the City boss said in his pre-match news conference. “What I heard was that the World Cup was perfect because they felt the pressure. but not too much.
“It was not like playing in England or Italy, Qatar was more calm they told me and they were more relaxed. That’s why I think they will be okay.
“People have the ability to forget the good things or the bad things quickly and start again. But at the same time, I don’t know, it’s the first time so we will see.
“I talked with the guys that came back and spoke with them individually to see how they feel. They have started to train and we’ll see how they behave and how they are and after we will take a decision. This is the point.”
Of the World Cup players, only Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan featured in the 2-0 friendly victory over Girona at the weekend.
More have returned since with our Portuguese and English players the latest back in training on Wednesday with goalkeeper Ederson to follow soon.
With the World Cup coming midseason for the first time, Guardiola says it will be a new experience to see the conditions of his players after such a fast turnaround.
“It is the first time in my career so I don’t know,” he said. “I think all the managers are the same.
“I played sometimes after holidays, a few training sessions and then played Super Cups in Spain for example. I remember they were at the World Cup, had holidays and after two or three days arrived and had the Super Cup.
“They came fresh [in the mind], they know the routines and everything. In the middle of the season after the World Cup and the good moments and bad moments, I don’t know how they are going to come back. If they will come back fit or fat. We will see.”
