Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca will address his players for the first time this Thursday following the Premier League's landmark verdict against the club. An independent commission found City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges they faced last month.
City maintain their innocence and have confirmed they will appeal the decision. The club has been without the majority of its squad during the extended international break, with players on duty set to return to Manchester on Thursday.
Tuchel admits case was a distraction
City's England contingent will return to the training ground on Thursday, days after England manager Thomas Tuchel admitted the case had been a distraction. Speaking about the situation, Tuchel said: "If I say now it's not then I can just speak for myself, which would be totally narrow-minded. I think it is a distraction. It is. Let's say it is a subject. If it's a distraction, I don't know."
"It is of course a topic and we speak about it at dinner and at a table of eight or 12 people. We speak about it at breakfast. I know the Man City players get a lot of messages and phone calls and feedback about it," he added. "Are they worried or concerned? I think that would be a very human reaction if you don't know what's going on for the club that you signed. They're still young. They're ambitious. They're told they are totally innocent and don't know what's going on. It is a subject."
Tuchel noted he did not see it as a distraction in training, saying: "I am again not sure if it's a distraction. I don't see it when I see them in my meetings. I don't see it how they behave with other teammates, and I don't see it in training being a distraction. But it's a topic. How can't it be?"
Guardiola's message to fans
While most players will be reunited on Thursday, Enzo Fernandez may face a longer wait, with Argentina set to play Benin at midnight on Wednesday. Preparations will then begin for the weekend's match against Liverpool at Anfield.
Players will also have Pep Guardiola's message in mind after the Spaniard spoke out following the guilty verdict. On social media, Guardiola wrote: "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever."
"I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."
