Man City ratings from Far East tour as Jack Grealish puts summer fun behind him
Manchester City flew home from their three-game pre-season tour of the Far East around £16million richer and with their growing fanbase over the Blue Moon.
Pep Guardiola's Treble winners prevailed in their two games in Japan, beating sister club Yokohama Marinos 5-3 and then defeating Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich 2-1 in front of sell-out crowds at Tokyo's National Stadium.
Then it was on to Seoul and a meeting with Atletico Madrid that ended in a 2-1 defeat, with more than 66,000 packing into the city's World Cup stadium despite a fierce thunderstorm that delayed kick-off by 40 minutes.
Sky Blue shirts were everywhere, with Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne clearly City's most popular players. City are really cashing in on their success, with queues for souvenirs often stretching around the ground.
Guardiola was diplomatic enough, but he did admit that the scorching 40 degree temperatures had made it impossible to really put his players through their paces in training. He will be hoping this team does not go into the Community Shield clash with Arsenal on Sunday undercooked.
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Ederson: City’s No 1 was his steady self in goal and wowed fans with his distribution.
Stefan Ortega: The back-up keeper conceded just once during City's successful FA Cup run last season and continued to show he’s an able deputy.
Kyle Walker: Produced his usual high standards on the pitch but off it was clear from his demeanour that he has been unsettled by Bayern Munich’s interest.
Ruben Dias: Loved Tokyo so much he said he fancied living there. Top contender to be City’s new captain.
John Stones: The eight-hour time difference meant he didn’t sleep well, but still a class act when it mattered.
Nathan Ake: Signed a two-year contract extension but picked up a calf injury in the second game.
Pep Guardiola will be looking forward to Sunday's Community Shield clash against Arsenal (Masashi Hara/Getty Images)Who do you think the next Manchester City captain should be? Let us know in the comments below!
Joao Cancelo: Given game-time but was it to get him fit or to put him in the shop window after being sent to Bayern on loan for six months?
Mateo Kovacic: City’s new £30million signing from Chelsea needed very little time to fit into Guadrdiola’s system.
Erling Haaland: Two goals in the first game - and it’s clear that the striker who scored 52 times last season is now a global superstar.
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Jack Grealish: Didn’t look any worse for wear after a summer spent celebrating City’s achievements in exclusive holiday hot-spots.
Kevin De Bruyne: Was involved in the tour but didn't play in any of the three games.
Aymeric Laporte: Will be surplus to requirements if City sign Josko Gvardiol - and looked an unhappy tourist.
Rodri: The scorer of last season’s Champions League winning goal was back to his usual best from the first kick.
Julian Alvarez: Will be looking for more game-time after a season in which the Argentine striker added the World Cup to the Treble.
Bernardo Silva: The Portuguese midfielder may have spent the third successive summer agitating for a move, but it’s clear he’s staying put.
Sergio Gomez: More will be expected from the Spanish Under-21 international this season after a promising first year.
Manuel Akanji: One of the signings of the season last year - and looks to have arrived pretty close to peak condition.
Maximo Perrone: Another promising Argentine, but the 20-year-old may benefit from a loan move to help him learn the ropes.
Erling Haaland received a brilliant reception during the tour (Getty Images)Phil Foden: Is demanding more responsibility after Ilkay Gundogan’s departure. A big season for the lad with five Premier League medals at 23.
Oscar Bobb: Big things are expected from City’s ‘other’ Norwegian but another who could go out on loan.
Cole Palmer: Struggled last season by his own admission. But helped England win the Under-21 Euros and may be loaned out.
Rico Lewis: Given a more advanced role than last year when he drifted from right-back to central midfield. Signed a six-year contract.
James McAtee: Scored the opener against Bayern and is determined to break through after helping Sheffield United win promotion on loan last season.
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