SHENZHEN, China — Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has warned his players that they risk injuries if they are not totally match fit.
City defender Gael Clichy revealed that former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola had told players that they would not train with the first team if they were overweight and has banned pizzas and heavy food.
City picked up a total of 81 injuries last season, according to physioroom.com, and lost key men such as Vincent Kompany, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero for significant spells.
Guardiola is determined to look into every detail to ensure his players are as sharp and fit as possible.
Speaking ahead of the International Champions Cup clash with Borussia Dortmund on Thursday, he told a news conference: “They were not overweight but I want my players fit. For me, the weight is so, so important.
“We need to run, to fight, to jump — to have the ball. After three days, then another three days, then another three days.
“When you are not fit and your weight is not proper, danger is coming. They are not fast enough — that’s why I want my players to be absolutely fit.”
Guardiola took over at City at the beginning of the month and has been given his new squad a tough new training regime, and he says he has been delighted by the response.
“I want to say thank you so, so much to my players for the way they train, the way they try to understand me,” he added. “Every manager has their own ideas from the beginning to speak, to train, to know the way they want to live. That’s all.
“For the coaches it’s impossible to achieve a victory when the player doesn’t want it but that is not the case — they are great human beings and great players.”
-espnfc