Three Manchester City players have missed the club's pre-season tour in the United States.
Instead, the trio has traveled to Croatia to train with the Under-23 team.
Pep Guardiola insisted that his team will be ready for the start of the season.
He also called rumours that City were planning a bid for Neymar "false."
Manchester City's chances of a rare perfect pre-season have been thwarted, according to Pep Guardiola, due to the absence of three first-team stars.
After failing to meet America's entry requirements for two tour friendlies, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, and John Stones are all in Croatia with the club's Under-23 team.
While Guardiola insisted the trio would be ready for the start of the season, he had hoped for a full complement as they prepare to defend their title for the second time in a row.
Ilkay Gundogan was one of three key players who did not travel to the United States for Manchester City's preseason.
Ilkay Gundogan was one of three key players who did not travel to the United States for Manchester City's preseason.
Phil Foden was also missing because the trio was training with the Under-23s in Croatia instead of the Under-23s in England.
'It's disappointing; I wish they were here,' Guardiola said. 'Our second season, when we finished with 100 points, was the only time we were all together.' Since then, there have always been four players.
'This season, I thought maybe we'd be all together,' Guardiola added, referring to the players' personal situations. But it is what it is; we will move forward and must adapt.
John Stones was the third absentee as City prepares to defend their Premier League title.
John Stones was the third absentee as City prepares to defend their Premier League title.
'Pre-season can last three, four, or five weeks, but it's over now.' But they are fit, they are training with the Under 23s, and they will return to us and be fine.
Guardiola also dismissed reports that City were considering a move for PSG forward Neymar, despite the club's insistence all summer that they would not look to replace Raheem Sterling.
'I'm sorry, but that's not true,' he explained. 'That information is incorrect. Neymar is an incredible player, and from what I've heard, he's a really nice guy. But this is incorrect. Manchester City will reportedly spend $150 million on new players every summer.'
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