Weigh-In and Fitness Checks
Pep Guardiola confirmed that Manchester City players will be weighed when they return to training next week to ensure they are fit for their Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on 27 December. City last played on Saturday, beating West Ham 3-0 before the Christmas break. Guardiola said the squad had met required fitness standards prior to that game and emphasized that monitoring their condition after the short break is crucial. “The moment they arrive after three days [off] I want to see how they come back. They can eat but I want to control them,” the 54-year-old said. “Imagine one player and now he’s perfect but he will arrive with three kilos more. He will be in Manchester, he will not travel to Nottingham Forest.”
Strict Approach to Player Fitness
Guardiola has long been known for his strict approach to player fitness. In 2016, he reportedly restricted some squad members from first-team training until they met weight targets. Former City full-back Gael Clichy recalled Guardiola instructing players to avoid pizza, certain juices, and “heavy food.” In a more recent example, Guardiola publicly apologised to Kalvin Phillips after labeling the midfielder “overweight” following his return from the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Focus on Performance and Preparation
City currently sit two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, who defeated Everton 1-0 on Saturday. Guardiola stressed that his squad’s fitness levels and running are not a concern, but performance on the pitch must improve. “The players asked me to have tomorrow’s [Sunday’s] training session off and I said no, because they didn’t play well enough,” he said. “So Sunday recovery, train the guys that didn’t play, and after three days off they have two days to prepare for Nottingham Forest.”
Balancing Rest and Family Time
While emphasizing discipline, Guardiola also acknowledged the importance of giving players time with their families during the holiday period. “I’ve learned from England, since I arrived, as much days [where you can] have a day off, you give them,” he said. “The schedule is so tight and the players have to forget. The moment of the game they will be fresh in the legs.”
