Guardiola’s Christmas threat, overeat and you don’t play
Pep Guardiola has sent a pointed message to his Manchester City squad ahead of the Christmas break, making it clear that holiday indulgence will come at a cost.
According to The Telegraph, the City manager weighed every first team player on Friday before allowing them time away from the training ground, with the results set to influence team selection once the season restarts.
Festive discipline enforced
The report says Guardiola has told his players they will be weighed again when they return, with any increase treated seriously by the coaching staff.
Players who come back heavier than expected risk being dropped for City’s next match against Nottingham Forest, underlining that standards remain non negotiable even during the holidays.
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The monitoring forms part of Guardiola’s regular approach to conditioning, particularly during periods when fixture congestion can quickly expose a lack of sharpness.
Fitness before festivities
December is traditionally one of the most demanding months in the Premier League calendar, with short recovery times and little margin for error.
By acting before the break rather than after it, Guardiola appears determined to remove any ambiguity around expectations, linking physical discipline away from football directly to matchday opportunities.
According to The Telegraph, the message was delivered directly to the squad, leaving little room for misinterpretation.
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Selection consequences looming
Manchester City face Nottingham Forest shortly after Christmas, a fixture that could arrive before some players have fully worked off seasonal excess.
Guardiola’s stance suggests that reputation alone will not secure a place in the lineup, with fitness levels set to play a decisive role in who features when domestic action resumes.
Sources: The Telegraph
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