Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City players will be weighed when they return to training to make sure they are fit enough to play against Nottingham Forest on 27 December. City beat West Ham 3-0 in their final match before Christmas, and Guardiola confirmed the squad met fitness targets before that game.
The City boss explained that players will be checked again after their short break to ensure they haven’t gained too much weight. Guardiola said players are free to enjoy food during their time off, but warned that anyone who returns overweight will not be considered for the Forest match.
Guardiola is known for being strict about fitness and has done similar checks in the past. Former City defender Gael Clichy has previously said Guardiola advised players to avoid foods like pizza and other heavy meals.
City currently sit two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and face Nottingham Forest before travelling to Sunderland on New Year’s Day. Guardiola stressed that fitness is not the main issue for his team, saying they simply need to improve their performances.
He also explained why he refused to give the squad Sunday off after the West Ham win, saying they hadn’t played well enough. However, he added that spending time with family over Christmas is important, believing it helps players stay fresh during a busy schedule.
