pep guardiola fears man city stars in danger over fixture pileup
Saturday 26 July 2025
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Pep Guardiola fears Man City stars in danger over fixture pile-up

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice Pep Guardiola fears Man City stars in danger over fixture pile-up

Pep Guardiola
Manchester - Emiratesvoice

Pep Guardiola saw Manchester City return to winning ways at the end of the Premier League’s exhausting holiday schedule, but warned the English game is in danger of destroying its top stars.
City beat Watford 3-1 on Tuesday, 48 hours after the leaders saw their 18-game winning streak come to an end in a draw at Crystal Palace.
A spell of four games in 11 days has taken its toll, with City’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus sustaining a knee ligament injury which will sideline him for four to six weeks.
Full-back Kyle Walker also limped off after the victory over Watford with what appeared to be a groin injury.
“We are going to check it out, he (Walker) might have a little problem,” Guardiola said.
“But what everyone saw in the last weeks is how many injuries the players have. We are going to kill them.
“The federation bosses have to reflect a little bit. It’s not normal to play (December) 31st and two days later.
“I know the show must go on, but... that is not normal.
“They (the authorities) have to control it. They don’t protect the players and they are who the people come to watch.
“Here in England you don’t protect the players, you have to look for the quality, not the quantity.”
Guardiola is the latest in a long list of high-profile managers to question the traditional English fixture schedule this season, his Manchester United counterpart Jose Mourinho being chief among them.
And while the City manager believes in the traditions of the English game, he believes the Premier League will have to review television schedules which have led to a lopsided fixture list with some teams playing on two-days recovery and others up to five.
“Of course, space them out. I’m not saying change Boxing Day (December 26) but you cannot play at midday at Selhurst Park, come back, celebrate New Year’s Eve but are thinking about the game two days later,” he said.
“People say it’s impossible. It’s not basketball or tennis, the players need recovery. Just see how many players have muscular injuries.
“The show must go on but were have a lot of people here, to take care of them but the schedule does not protect the players.”
Meanwhile, Jesus’ loss is a blow to player and club, especially in a World Cup year that promises so much for the 20-year-old Brazilian star.
“Hopefully he will be back as soon as possible,” Guardiola said.
De Bruyne’s performance against Watford was a particularly impressive effort, given that he only passed himself fit four hours before kick-off.
“Kevin went out on the pitch in the afternoon and wanted to play,” said Guardiola.
“He had some pain but wanted to play, if he wants to play then I want him to play.”
The same was true of the returning David Silva, who had been absent due to complications involving the health of his pregnant wife.
The midfielder has been traveling between Manchester and Spain and Guardiola is prepared to give the Spanish international more time off if he requires it.
“We are very happy David is back,” he said. “We don’t know how long but he made another exhibition. He’s essential, he showed how important he is for us.
“Maybe (he will return). He’s free to stay or leave, it depends. He wants to stay because he enjoys it but family is the most important thing in life.
“It doesn’t matter if we drop a lot of points, I’d never push him. Some days he will be here, some he will be out, it depends how his family is.”

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

pep guardiola fears man city stars in danger over fixture pileup pep guardiola fears man city stars in danger over fixture pileup

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

pep guardiola fears man city stars in danger over fixture pileup pep guardiola fears man city stars in danger over fixture pileup

 



GMT 10:08 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Microsoft to open 4 data centres

GMT 14:43 2017 Wednesday ,22 February

Jimmy Choo to launch Man ICE fragrance

GMT 05:04 2024 Tuesday ,06 February

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 13:21 2011 Tuesday ,18 October

For Rashid Rana\'s art, clever is in the details

GMT 11:05 2011 Saturday ,23 July

Murder mystery in Australia\'s Outback

GMT 14:38 2016 Wednesday ,07 September

Beyonce’s doctor puts her on vocal rest

GMT 05:09 2012 Tuesday ,20 March

\'A Separation\' shines at Asian film awards

GMT 06:19 2016 Tuesday ,14 June

LOVE FILA by Marion Bartoli Launches

GMT 12:37 2014 Saturday ,06 September

Hamas and the delusion of victory

GMT 10:31 2013 Wednesday ,01 May

Saudi business success stories

GMT 15:43 2013 Thursday ,07 March

Bolshoi dancer charged but acid plot denied

GMT 10:14 2018 Thursday ,04 January

UN chief welcomes reopened Korean hotline

GMT 17:23 2017 Sunday ,14 May

Bahraini-Pakistani relations hailed

GMT 07:44 2017 Thursday ,28 December

Nermein Al Fekki participates in new drama show

GMT 07:01 2017 Sunday ,24 December

Thirsty rocks may contain

GMT 10:24 2017 Friday ,19 May

Swedish prosecutor drops rape probe

GMT 10:08 2017 Saturday ,09 December

Under-fire WTO meets in Buenos Aires

GMT 09:23 2013 Saturday ,28 September

Girls who ate peanut butter, nuts

GMT 01:35 2012 Tuesday ,14 February

Mweene: Zambia\'s most important win

GMT 13:07 2012 Wednesday ,13 June

Suzan Najm angered by Houla massacre accusations
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
 
 Emirates Voice Facebook,emirates voice facebook  Emirates Voice Twitter,emirates voice twitter Emirates Voice Rss,emirates voice rss  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

emiratesvoieen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen
emiratesvoice emiratesvoice emiratesvoice
emiratesvoice
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice