Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his players that returning from the Christmas break overweight could cost them a place in the squad for the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on December 27.

Guardiola said fitness standards will be strictly enforced when players resume training, revealing that weight checks will be conducted before the team travels for the Forest match. According to him, any player who reports back significantly heavier will be left behind.

The City boss made the remarks after his side’s comfortable 3-0 victory over West Ham on Saturday, stressing that festive celebrations must not come at the expense of professionalism.

“When they arrive after three days off, I want to see how they come back. They can eat, but I want to control them. If a player comes back with three kilos more, he will stay in Manchester. He will not travel to Nottingham Forest,” Guardiola said.

Known for his strict approach to conditioning, Guardiola has previously sidelined players who failed to meet fitness requirements. Former City defender Gael Clichy once disclosed that the manager discouraged players from consuming heavy foods such as pizza and sugary drinks. Guardiola has also publicly addressed fitness concerns in the past, including apologising to midfielder Kalvin Phillips after describing him as overweight following the 2022 World Cup.

The manager explained that although the players requested an additional day off, he insisted on a recovery and training session instead, citing subpar performances.

“They asked for Sunday off, and I said no, because they didn’t play well enough. Sunday recovery, train the guys that didn’t play, and then after three days off, they have two days to prepare for Nottingham Forest,” he said.

Manchester City currently sits two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. After the Forest game, they will travel to face Sunderland on New Year’s Day.

While Guardiola said he has no major concerns about his squad’s commitment or fitness levels, he admitted there is room for improvement in performances.

“We have to play better,” he said.

He also acknowledged the importance of balancing discipline with rest, noting that time off helps players recharge mentally during the demanding festive schedule.

“I’ve learned in England that as many days off as you can give, you give them. The calendar is so tight, and players need to switch off. When it’s time to play, they will be fresh,” Guardiola added.