Enzo Maresca could be missing six Manchester City players for the Community Shield showdown with Arsenal on August 16, as World Cup commitments leave key stars requiring mandatory rest. The game, set to be the first major clash of the season, will test the new manager's squad depth.
World Cup Impact on City's Roster
As the World Cup concludes with Spain in the final, several City players have impressed. Erling Haaland pushed for the Golden Boot, four England players secured third place, and Rodri shone to help Spain reach another final. However, these exploits come at a cost: FIFPro, the players' union, recommends at least four weeks of rest between seasons, a policy City typically enforces.
The six players likely to miss the Community Shield due to insufficient rest are Rodri, Rayan Cherki, Nico O'Reilly, Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson, and James Trafford, all of whom featured until the final weekend of the tournament. According to Simon Bajkowski, Chief Manchester City Writer, at least five of these would be contenders to start the match.
Maresca's Preparations and Alternatives
Maresca welcomes the first batch of players back to training on Monday, but most World Cup participants will receive extra time off. A season that began in June 2025 with the Club World Cup is only now ending for some. The manager may need to rely on alternative plans for the season's first showdown against the Premier League champions.
Arsenal could face even greater absences if they follow similar protocols, with defender William Saliba also an injury concern. Should City's six players take the full four-week break, they would have only a few training sessions before the Premier League season begins.
