Guardiola banishes pudgy players from Manchester City training
Pep Guardiola wants to trim the fat at Manchester City, and not just in the transfer market.
Left-back Gael Clichy has revealed that those found to be carrying a little extra weight by the Spaniard are excluded from first-team training sessions until they tip the scales at the desired level.
It's just one aspect of Guardiola's severe shake-up of a team that has arguably underachieved given the money it's splurged since the 2008 takeover from the Abu Dhabi United Group.
"On the field, outside the field, every detail counts," Clichy said of the new manager's style. "For example, you often hear managers say being healthy is really important. With him, if your weight is too high, you're not training with the team."
Clichy added: "You have to know that if your weight is 60 kilos and you are on 70 kilos, then you cannot play football."
Among the items off the menu for the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, and David Silva is pizza, some juices, and heavier foods. That attacking triumvirate is in the international throng currently rejoining the squad at its base in Shenzhen, but Clichy warns of a harsh awakening back in England if they've returned to duty after a bout of salad dodging.
"The weather is humid and hot so you can't really train how we did before," Clichy continued. "But when we get back to Manchester they will see what it is about. We work hard."
City rounds off its commitments in China with Thursday's International Champions Cup bout with Borussia Dortmund. Its 2016-17 Premier League season opener comes against Sunderland on Aug. 13.
