‘If they gain weight, they’ll stay in Manchester’ – Guardiola warns players ahead of Christmas
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Speaking after the victory over the relegation-threathened Hammers, Guardiola has now revealed that he is targeting small margins to ensure Arsenal’s poor record of converting a mid-point advantage into silverware continues.
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“Imagine one player, now he’s perfect but he will arrive with three kilos more. He will (stay) in Manchester.
“He will not travel to Nottingham Forest, that’s for sure. They can eat (at Christmas) but I want to control them.”
The 54-year-old revealed that his players requested a day off from training on Sunday, but he rejected the idea, explaining that their performance against West Ham did not merit it.
“The players asked me to have tomorrow’s (Sunday’s) training session off, and I said no, because they didn’t play well enough,” the City boss added.
He outlined City’s plan for the festive period, noting that Sunday had been used for recovery and for training those who did not feature, before a short break and preparation for their next match.
Guardiola 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.
“I don’t say one word that I’ve said today to make them feel (no complacency) – it’s the truth.
“I’m really good at reading what happens in the game, where are the spaces, I’m really good. The rest I am a disaster but on that, I know it. And if the players were in that position, we could create more and more but they didn’t do that. In part because maybe they are new (players) but no, come on, they have to do it. At that level, they have to do it.”
Guardiola also stressed the value of giving players time with their families during the festive period, with City also traveling to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day.
Reflecting on his experience in England and wishing to avoid being labelled a strict taskmaster, Guardiola said he had grown to appreciate the importance of granting rest whenever possible in a demanding schedule.
“I’ve learned from England, since I arrived, as much days (where you can) have a day off, you give them,” Guardiola continued.
“The schedule is so tight and the players have to forget. The moment of the game they will be fresh in the legs.”
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While Guardiola will be checking which of his players tip the scales over the coming days, it is Arsenal who will be having one eye over their shoulder given City’s ominous return to form.
While Guardiola was happy with his side’s overall fitness levels against West Ham, he believes how they were in possession had not met the same standards of recent weeks.
“Everything (is) perfect (in terms of fitness) – they are fit,” he said. “You see how they run (against West Ham)? The problem is not running. When the team won the Premier League, they made the second most runs. It’s unbelievable. Did you see all of them? Phil (Foden) and Erling (Haaland) today and, oh, I love it.
“That (last) season didn’t have that. One of the attributes of my team since I started in the Barcelona B team until now is that we run like an animal. But it’s not enough. We have to play better. (West Ham) was not good.”
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