Pep Guardiola has stated he will be spending Christmas with his family in Barcelona.
According to Pep Guardiola, Manchester City players will undergo weight checks upon their return to training, ensuring they are in optimal condition for the December 27th match against Nottingham Forest.
City secured a 3-0 victory over West Ham on Saturday, marking their final game before the Christmas break.
Guardiola revealed that players were weighed prior to the West Ham fixture and met the required standards. The weight checks will be repeated when the squad reconvenes next week.
“Upon their return after three days [off], I want to assess their condition. They are permitted to eat, but I intend to monitor them,” the 54-year-old manager stated on Saturday.
“Consider a player who is currently in peak condition but returns with an additional three kilos.
“That player will remain in Manchester and will not travel to Nottingham Forest.”
Guardiola’s reputation as a stringent disciplinarian regarding player fitness is well-established. In 2016, he notably excluded certain members of his squad from first-team training until they achieved specific weight targets.
Former City full-back Gael Clichy recounted that Guardiola instructed his players to refrain from consuming pizza, certain juices, and particular “heavy foods”.
Guardiola previously issued an apology to Kalvin Phillips after remarking that the City midfielder was “overweight” following his return from the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Manchester City currently trails Premier League leaders Arsenal by two points, after Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Everton on Saturday. Following the Forest match, City is scheduled for an away game against Sunderland on New Year’s Day.
Guardiola affirmed that he has no concerns regarding his squad’s fitness or running capabilities, but rather that they simply “have to play better.”
“The players requested a day off from Sunday’s training session, and I declined because their performance wasn’t satisfactory,” Guardiola explained.
“Therefore, Sunday will consist of recovery and training for the players who did not play, followed by three days off and two days to prepare for Nottingham Forest.”
Guardiola further emphasized the importance of his players spending quality time with their families during the Christmas period.
“Since arriving in England, I’ve learned the value of granting days off whenever feasible,” he added.
“The schedule is incredibly demanding, and it’s crucial for the players to disconnect. They will return to the game with fresh legs.”
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