The international break has come at the right time for Manchester City

It is rare to see anyone associated with Manchester City look forward to the international break. Usually, it is an inconvenience that halts the team’s momentum. But as Manchester City crashed to their fourth consecutive defeat with a 2-1 loss to Brighton yesterday it appears that the international break has come at the right time for Pep Guardiola’s side. It now allows Pep Guardiola and his team an opportunity to rest and reset after a trying past couple of weeks.

It is no secret that Manchester City are ravaged by injury. The world champions were missing five players for yesterday’s match. Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake were both named as substitutes. But they were never going to feature yesterday as they bid to return to full fitness. You could also see that Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva weren’t at 100% either when they came on during the second half at the Amex Stadium. Other players are starting for Manchester City that aren’t fully fit either. That is clear to see.

READ MORE: Manchester City appear to be getting old and slow as Brighton exposed at the Amex Stadium.

The international break gives the City players who aren’t selected for international duty the opportunity to rest. This applies to Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Ake, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones and others. There is always the fear that players can come back from international duty tired and injured. But surely Manchester City are due some luck on the injury front after a tough run of late.

But as Kyle Walker said following City’s defeat the international break is also an opportunity for the City squad to reset. Perhaps some time away from the club will give the players the chance to regroup. But as Walker said post-game the players have to come back fit and ready to perform. He said: “We need to weather the storm and make sure after the international break we come back fit and ready to go for an important part of the season.”

Four consecutive losses for Manchester City is a shock to the system. Given the standards that the world champions usually operate at it is a surprise to see them lose in the manner that they have over the past week. But the international break may have come at the perfect time for Pep Guardiola’s side. It should give a host of City players time to rest and recover. While the rest of Manchester City’s players get the chance to get away from the club over the coming week or so. That could be of great benefit to the world champions for the tough fixtures that lie ahead.