MANCHESTER, El Sky News – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed high praise for his players’ unwavering discipline during the busy Christmas period, confirming that the squad has maintained the elite physical standards required to challenge for the Premier League title.
Maintaining Elite Standards As the team prepares for their upcoming clash against Nottingham Forest, Guardiola revealed that the squad underwent routine weight checks upon their return to training. Despite the temptations of the holiday season, the Spaniard noted that his players remained “highly disciplined” in managing their fitness.
“I personally gained four or five kilograms because of the food and drinks during the holidays, so that is normal for me,” Guardiola joked during Friday’s press conference. “However, the players know the standards of this club. They have shown incredible discipline for over a decade now.”
Star striker Erling Haaland further reassured fans regarding his fitness by posting his weight—94.4kg—on social media with the caption “All good!”, signaling he is ready for the upcoming fixtures.
Title Race and Squad Depth The Citizens are currently in a prime position to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League, depending on results from current leaders Arsenal. Guardiola reflected on the team’s current standing with optimism, noting that City remains active in the Carabao Cup semifinals and the upcoming FA Cup campaign.
“I would prefer to be 10 points ahead, but the situation is good. We are at the end of December and still competing at the highest level in all competitions,” the manager added.
Transfer and Injury Update Regarding the January transfer window, Guardiola hinted that “anything can happen,” amid reports linking the club to Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.
On the injury front, Manchester City will likely remain without defenders John Stones and winger Jeremy Doku. However, there is hope for midfield anchor Rodri, who is recovering from a hamstring issue and will undergo a late fitness test before Saturday’s match.
