Pep boost! Guardiola says Manchester City's South American stars want to return to training EARLY despite getting month off after Copa America

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Pep Guardiola revealed some of Manchester City’s samba stars are returning to training early next week.

Brazilian trio Ederson, Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho won the Copa America on July 7, while Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Aguero finished third.

All five were offered a month off but Guardiola has been told a number are planning to start work at the City Football Academy next Monday ahead of the new season.

Pep Guardiola has revealed some of his South American stars could return early

Ederson (R) and Gabriel Jesus (second left) both won the Copa America with Brazil

‘They decide whether to come back after three or four weeks off,’ Guardiola said in Hong Kong. ‘I don't want them to come back if they are not fit, if they are tired and have still not recovered from a tough season.

‘Some of them will come on the 29th or 30th, others come on August 3 or 4. It means a lot, I like it.’

The Catalan has left that decision down to his players, echoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s view that the football schedule is ‘killing’ footballers.

Sergio Aguero (No 9) and Nicolas Otamendi (No 17) also came third with Argentina

Riyad Mahrez is set to link back up with the squad later after lifting the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria last weekend.

‘We cannot forget we are starting the season and Mahrez hasn't finished the previous one,’ Guardiola added.

‘It's a crazy schedule and we'll kill our players sooner or later, we cannot sustain it for a long time.

‘They have to breathe, rest, give more quality in the tournaments. They have to rest, but if the people want to come back a little bit earlier, they are more than welcome.

‘They know they want to come back - the standard has risen every season. And if they want to play they have to be fit.’

City attacker Riyad Mahrez lifted the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria last weekend