Pep Guardiola risks wrath of Man City stars by brutally denying Christmas request

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Pep Guardiola has weighed his players and warned them not to over-indulge this festive season - after REFUSING his squad's Christmas appeal.

The Manchester City manager has made clear that any member of the squad who returns from a short festive break out of condition will not be involved at Nottingham Forest next week. Guardiola even refused his players a day off after Saturday’s comfortable Premier League victory over West Ham to make sure the message hit home.

The Spaniard was not happy with the level of performance, even though the 3-0 success – their fifth league victory in succession – kept the pressure on leaders Arsenal and even took them top for a few hours. Guardiola said: “The players asked me to take a day off. I said, ‘No because you didn’t play good enough’.

“So Sunday recovery, train the guys that didn’t play, and after three days off they have two days to prepare for Nottingham Forest. 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.

“The moment they arrive after three days I want to see how they come back. They can eat but I want to control them. I have to make a selection for (December) 27 against Nottingham Forest.

“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.”

Guardiola did point out that he currently saw “everything perfect” in terms of fitness, and it was other aspects of the display against the Hammers that bothered him. He said: “The problem is not running. One of the attributes of my teams since I started in Barcelona B until now is that we run like an animal, but it’s not enough. We have to play better.”

Despite that, Guardiola does feel it is important his players spend some time with their families and enjoy themselves.

It is the first time since the November international break that City have not had a midweek fixture and he himself is heading to Barcelona to spend time with his father.

He said: “Next week I have holidays, being with family and with champagne. I’ve learned from England, since I arrived, as much days (where you can) have a day off, you give them.

“The schedule is so tight and the players have to forget. The more they arrive in the right moment (the better). The moment of the game they will be fresh in the legs.

“The players have to go with the families and forget football. It’s good. For them to see the manager every day – that’s so tough!”

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