Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a stern warning to his squad about festive over-indulgence, revealing he has weighed every player before a short Christmas break.
No Room for Festive Excess
The Spaniard made it clear that any player who returns from the three-day holiday out of condition will not be selected for the Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest on 27 December. Guardiola even refused his players a day off following their 3-0 victory over West Ham on Saturday, insisting their performance was not good enough to warrant extra rest.
Weight Checks and a Clear Ultimatum
"Every player makes a weight. They come back on the 25th and I will be there controlling how many kilos come up, (to see if) they come fatty," Guardiola stated. He emphasised the direct consequence for any player who gains significant weight, saying, "Imagine one player and now he's perfect but he will arrive with three kilos more. He will (stay) in Manchester. He will not travel to Nottingham Forest."
Despite the 3-0 win being City's fifth consecutive league victory, which temporarily took them top of the table, Guardiola was dissatisfied with the level of play. "The players asked me to take a day off. I said, 'No because you didn't play good enough'," he explained.
Balance Between Rest and Responsibility
Guardiola acknowledged the importance of family time during the hectic schedule, noting it is the first midweek without a fixture since November. He himself is travelling to Barcelona to see his father. "Next week I have holidays, being with family and with champagne," he said, highlighting the need for mental refreshment.
However, the manager stressed that professionalism must remain paramount. "The players have to go with the families and forget football. It's good," Guardiola added. "For them to see the manager every day – that's so tough!" The squad will have two days to prepare for the Forest game upon their return on Christmas Day.
