Manchester City’s players are confident their training camp in Abu Dhabi can set them up for a successful final few months of the season.
The Premier League leaders, 16 points clear at the top with eight matches remaining, arrived in the capital early on Tuesday for a five-day, warm-weather get-together. The team will return to England on Saturday in preparation for the upcoming international break and then resume their domestic campaign on March 31.
Having won the League Cup last month, City remain in the hunt for two more pieces of silverware. They stand only two matches from securing a third league title in six years, while they will next month contest the quarter-finals of the Uefa Champions League.
With the squad enjoying training at Emirates Palace hotel and some down-time in between, in-form winger Leroy Sane said City's Abu Dhabi stay could prove crucial in the search for more trophies this campaign.
"For me, it’s always a good idea to change, if you can do it,” the German said. “Especially if you play in the Premier League. We have so many hard games and to have a break to be in the sun, you can enjoy it a little bit more. We’ve really good conditions to train here.
“Like I said, it’s really good. The whole team agreed to come here and be in good weather. It will give us more energy to come back and chase our targets.”
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Manchester City keeper Ederson takes part in a training session at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Benjamin Mendy is much better after going through a period of injury. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaks with his team as they prepare for their upcoming games. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Manchester City train find a cozy corner of Abu Dhabi for their warm-weather training sessions. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guardiola's City have one trophy the 2017/18 season, with two more up for grabs. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Bernardo Silva is evidently enjoying his football at Emirates Palace. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Fernandinho, centre, taking in the sights even as he is hard at work during their training session on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Raheem Sterling is having a fruitful season with Manchester City. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Vincent Kompany trains with his Manchester City teammates in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Under Guardiola, Manchester City have proved to be the team to beat this season. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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City were afforded the opportunity to travel to Abu Dhabi because of their elimination last month from the FA Cup. They have played 47 matches already this season, and could have another 13 should they progress to a first Champions League final.
The break in the UAE is therefore welcome, particularly considering the majority of the other teams in Friday’s European draw enjoyed extended periods of rest during January. For City midfielder Bernardo Silva, the Abu Dhabi get-together allows the players to get away from the bubble of professional football in England and put it to good use once the season ramps up again after this month’s international commitments.
“It’s important, especially because we didn’t have a winter break like the other countries have,” Silva said.
“And then to recharge the batteries to then go and play the last month and a half of the season with everything we have to try and win the Premier League - and try something special as well in the Champions League.”
