Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a festive warning to his squad, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peak physical condition during the Christmas break. Guardiola's message comes after Manchester City's commanding 3-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola has made it clear that any player who returns from the short festive break out of shape will not be considered for selection in the upcoming match against Nottingham Forest. To underscore his point, Guardiola even denied his players a day off following their win against West Ham. Instead, the team underwent a recovery session on Sunday, with those who did not play also participating in training.

"The players asked me to take a day off. I said, 'No because you didn't play good enough'," Guardiola stated. "So Sunday recovery, train the guys that didn't play, and after three days off they have two days to prepare for Nottingham Forest".

Guardiola has implemented a system of checks and balances to monitor his players' condition during the break. Each player was weighed before departing for the festive period, and Guardiola plans to be present upon their return on December 25th to personally monitor their weight.

"Every player makes a weight. They come back on the 25th and I will be there controlling how many kilos come up, (to see if) they come fatty," Guardiola revealed. "The moment they arrive after three days I want to see how they come back. They can eat but I want to control them".

The manager emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline during the break, stating that any player who returns with excess weight will be left behind in Manchester and will not travel to Nottingham Forest. "I have to make a selection for (December) 27 against Nottingham Forest," Guardiola explained. "Imagine one player and now he's perfect but he will arrive with three kilos more. He will (stay) in Manchester. He will not travel to Nottingham Forest".

Manchester City's recent form has been strong, with the team climbing to the top of the Premier League table after their win against West Ham. Erling Haaland continues to be a key figure in City's attack, scoring two goals in the match against West Ham. Tijjani Reijnders also contributed with a goal in the 3-0 victory.

However, Guardiola remains demanding, seeking continuous improvement from his players. His Christmas message serves as a reminder that maintaining peak physical condition is essential for success, even during the festive season. Guardiola's focus extends beyond just the on-field performances, with an emphasis on the players' professionalism and dedication to maintaining their fitness levels.