SOCCER: Guardiola tells Man City players to go easy on Christmas dinner

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his players to watch their weight over the Christmas holidays, saying anyone who returns out of shape will not feature in Saturday’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest.

City’s players have been given three days off to enjoy Christmas, but Guardiola said he will personally check their conditioning when they report back on December 25.

“Every player has a weight target. They come back on the 25th and I will be there checking how many kilos they’ve gained,” Guardiola said. “If one player comes back with three kilos more, he will stay in Manchester and will not travel to Nottingham Forest.”

The Spanish coach, who is known for his strict approach to fitness and diet, said players are free to enjoy themselves but must remain disciplined. He added that team selection for the December 27 match would depend partly on how players return from the break.

Guardiola has previously criticized players for fitness issues, including England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who he said returned overweight from the 2022 World Cup.

Despite his tough stance, Guardiola said it was equally important for players to mentally switch off amid a demanding schedule.

“The schedule is so tight, and the players need to forget about football for a moment,” he said. “The more days off you can give them, the better. When they come back, their legs will feel fresher.”

Guardiola also joked about enjoying his own holiday break, saying he plans to spend time with family and relax.

Manchester City come into the holiday period in strong form after beating West Ham United 3-0 at the weekend. They sit two points behind league leaders Arsenal after 17 matches. -Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters