International break suits Man City, says Garcia

Premier League managers often dread the international break, with their brightest stars flying all over the globe with the risk of coming back jaded, or even injured.

But Manchester City starlet Aleix Garcia believes the break has arrived at just the right time for Pep Guardiola’s charges after a testing couple of weeks in Europe and the league.

Having been dumped out of the Champions League by AS Monaco and drawn with Premier League rivals Liverpool in the space of a couple of days, 19-year-old Garcia insists the two-week break has given everyone at the club the chance to refocus ahead of quick-fire trips to Arsenal and Chelsea.

“We face the rest of the season with great enthusiasm and eagerness,” said the midfielder, who made his debut earlier in the season against Bournemouth and has gone on to make seven appearances in all competitions.

“The international break is going be good for us. Some players can rest and others can just take their minds off to come back as strong as possible to keep fighting for our goals until the end of the season.

“The break will be good for us after Monaco and the result against Liverpool. We face lots of games – lots of very important games in a few days that will define our season.

“I expect games like the one against Liverpool – tough games.

“I’m happy for the chances I had this first season in the first team. I think it will help me for the future in my career. I am ready for any time Pep needs me.”