We remember how Pep Guardiola verbally lashed out at Kalvin Phillips after his return from the World Cup in Qatar. The City manager thought the player returned in bad shape and called him “fat” in front of the microphone. Everything is relative, but Phillips has since said he struggled after this comment to his coach and never made it back into the starting eleven. Guardiola has since apologized for his statement. Now this is history, but Guardiola has learned. He tells before the break what happens to players who show up for training with too much Christmas blubber.
On Saturday, the City supporters walked out of the Etihad with two Haaland goals and a 3-0 win against West Ham, the Sunday calm was saved. For the players, it was a completely different story. Quick shower, home and back to training on the “rest day”. Pep Guardiola does not let his players lose focus on the next game and the trophies they will bring back to the club. It goes so far that Guardiola brings out the weight.
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December 27 is the next City game, then the trip goes to the City Ground and Nottingham Forest. This means plenty of opportunities for the City players to completely relax and enjoy Christmas. Guardiola is ready to find out who has “enjoyed himself too much”.
“The moment they come back after three days off, I want to see how they are doing. They are welcome to eat, but I want to control them,” the City manager begins, according to the BBC.
“Imagine a player, you’re perfect now, but he comes back with three extra kilos. Then he will stay in Manchester and not travel to Nottingham Forest,” Guardiola said.
“The players asked if they could get Sunday off (after the West Ham game), but I said no, because they didn’t play well enough. Then on Sunday it was recovery and training for those who didn’t play. After three days off, we have two days to prepare for the game against Forest,” the City manager concludes.
Who does not intend to let any Christmas celebrations give Arsenal and former wingman, Mikel Arteta, any advantage in the title race.
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