Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has introduced a new fines system at Manchester City in a further bid to keep the Premier League champions in check.
Sportsmail understands the City boss has banned the use of mobile phones in all working spaces at the club’s training base.
The prohibited areas include analysis sessions, team meetings, the gym and training pitches at the City Football Academy.
Guardiola does allow his stars to access their phones inside the dressing room, however. The new fines have been brought in to maintain the standards set during their record-breaking season.
Players will be made to cough up if they arrive late for training, something energetic left back Benjamin Mendy has already fallen foul of.
It is believed fines are a pre-agreed flat fee irrespective of a player’s seniority within the squad or their earnings.
Guardiola has constantly stressed the importance of retaining focus this term as City attempt to become the first team in a decade to the defend the title.
They also aim to go further in the Champions League and were handed a favourable draw in a group with Hoffenheim, Lyon and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Leroy Sane was dropped from the match day squad for Saturday’s slender victory over Newcastle United after his performances in training — a move that sent a message to some of his other team-mates.