Manchester City are planning a longer pre-season tour of the United States this summer and will face Chelsea as part of a four-destination trip.

The Premier League champions are scheduled to play four friendlies, the other three against top European opposition, as they make a first return to America since 2022.

Pep Guardiola’s squad will meet Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea in Columbus, Ohio, as part of their preparations for the new campaign.

City have signed up with organisers FC Series, who held its inaugural summer tournament involving Chelsea and Arsenal last year and were involved in the Premier League Summer Series.

Manchester City are planning a longer pre-season tour of the United States this summer

Pep Guardiola’s side will face four top European teams across a two-week trip in four locations

Their last fixture has been pencilled in for August 3, two weeks before the Premier League kicks off and seven days prior to the Community Shield were they to feature in the Wembley curtain-raiser.

Tours under Guardiola have tended to last around 10 days and take in three matches, with two games in Tokyo last year before a short stop in South Korea’s capital, Seoul.

The make-up of Guardiola’s party will be determined by the European Championship, the final on July 14. Previous pre-seasons in tournament years have seen various players join up with the club at different points, depending on how their country fares.

This includes a blockbuster clash against Chelsea, which will take place in Columbus, Ohio