Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that his players will be weighed when they return to training after the Christmas break, as part of strict fitness checks ahead of their Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on 27 December.

City head into the festive period in strong form after recording a 3–0 win over West Ham United, their final fixture before Christmas. Despite the convincing result, Guardiola remains determined to ensure his squad maintains peak physical condition during one of the busiest periods of the season.

Guardiola Reinforces Fitness Standards

Speaking after Saturday’s victory, Guardiola revealed that players had already been weighed prior to the West Ham match and met the club’s required standards. The same process will be repeated when the squad reconvenes next week.

“The moment they arrive after three days off, I want to see how they come back,” Guardiola said. “They can eat, but I want to control them.”

The City boss made it clear that any player who returns in poor condition could face consequences.

“Imagine one player who is perfect now but comes back three kilos heavier,” he explained. “He will stay in Manchester. He will not travel to Nottingham Forest.”

Guardiola’s Reputation for Discipline

Guardiola has long been regarded as one of football’s strictest coaches when it comes to fitness and professionalism. During his early years at Manchester City in 2016, several players were temporarily excluded from first-team training until they met specific weight and conditioning targets.

Former City defender Gaël Clichy has previously revealed that Guardiola advised players to avoid pizza, sugary drinks, and other forms of “heavy food” that could negatively impact performance.

However, Guardiola has also shown a willingness to reflect on his comments. He publicly apologised to midfielder Kalvin Phillips after describing him as “overweight” following his return from the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Premier League Title Race Intensifies

Manchester City currently sit two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, who secured a 1–0 victory over Everton on Saturday. The Forest match will be followed by an away trip to Sunderland on New Year’s Day, making fitness management crucial during the festive schedule.

Despite his high standards, Guardiola insists he has no concerns about his players’ overall conditioning.

“I don’t have a problem with fitness or running,” he said. “We just have to play better.”

Training Decisions Over the Festive Period

Guardiola also revealed that he turned down a request from players to cancel Sunday’s training session, citing performance levels as the reason.

“The players asked me to have Sunday off and I said no, because they didn’t play well enough,” he explained.
“So Sunday is recovery, training for the guys who didn’t play, and after three days off they have two days to prepare for Nottingham Forest.”

Despite his firm approach, Guardiola emphasized the importance of allowing players time with their families over Christmas.

“I’ve learned in England that as many days off as you can give, you give them,” he added.
“The schedule is so tight and the players need to switch off. When the game arrives, they will be fresh in their legs.”

As City continue their pursuit of another Premier League title, Guardiola’s meticulous attention to fitness and preparation remains central to their ambitions.