Pep Guardiola has issued a firm warning to his Manchester City squad, emphasizing that there will be no leniency during the Christmas break. The manager confirmed that the players will be weighed on Christmas Day to ensure fitness standards are maintained during their short holiday.
City enter the festive period following a 3-0 Premier League victory over West Ham United, with Erling Haaland scoring twice and Tijjani Reijnders also finding the net. Despite the convincing win, Guardiola stressed that the team’s performance fell short of his expectations and reiterated that discipline remains non-negotiable.
“They will be weighed again to monitor any weight gain”
Guardiola revealed that the squad had already been weighed before their time off and will undergo another assessment on December 25. He warned that any increase in weight could have immediate consequences.
“Yesterday, they were weighed and everything was perfect, but when they come back on the 25th, they will be weighed again to see if they come back heavier,” Guardiola said.
“The moment they arrive after three days off, I want to see how they return. I will be monitoring any increase in kilos.”
No excuses despite the break
The City manager also disclosed that players had requested an additional day off following the West Ham win, a request he promptly rejected.
“The players asked me to take a day off tomorrow, but I said no, because the performance was not good enough,” Guardiola explained.
“They can enjoy themselves, but I need to maintain control. I have to make a selection on the 27th. If a player is fit now but returns three kilos heavier, he will remain in Manchester and not travel to Nottingham Forest.”
Past examples reinforce Guardiola’s strict approach
This is not the first time Guardiola has taken a hard line on fitness. He previously dropped Kalvin Phillips after weight concerns during the 2022 winter break, and he indicated that similar decisions would be made if necessary.
Manchester City next face Nottingham Forest away, sitting just two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. Guardiola’s unwavering focus on fitness underscores his commitment to maintaining a competitive edge during the title race.
Source: Gistreel
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