Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi, centre, vies for the ball with Watford's Roberto Pereyra. Rui Vieira / AP Photo
Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi, centre, vies for the ball with Watford's Roberto Pereyra. Rui Vieira / AP Photo
Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi, centre, vies for the ball with Watford's Roberto Pereyra. Rui Vieira / AP Photo
Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi, centre, vies for the ball with Watford's Roberto Pereyra. Rui Vieira / AP Photo

Hectic Premier League schedule will 'kill' the players, warns Pep Guardiola


  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hit out at the amount of games played in the Premier League over the festive period, saying the schedule is going to "kill" the players.

City were one of the teams to play four games in 11 days across Christmas and the new year, with the last two matches — away to Crystal Palace and at home to Watford — coming just two days apart.

"What I saw, what everybody sees, in the last weeks is how many injuries the players have," Guardiola said. "We are going to kill them [the players]. The federation — whoever the bosses are — have to reflect. It's not normal."

Guardiola's ire might have been caused by the sight of right-back Kyle Walker holding his groin in the final minutes of the 3-1 win over Watford on Tuesday. The City manager said Walker "might have a little bit of a problem".

Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker attempts to get past Andre Carrilo of Watford. Julian Finney/Getty Images
Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker attempts to get past Andre Carrilo of Watford. Julian Finney/Getty Images

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.

"I know the show must go on and it doesn't matter with which guys the show must go on," Guardiola said.

"Here in England, you don't protect the players — that is a big mistake. You have to do it for the quality, not quantity. Play every three, four, five days, but not every two days ... Look at how many players have muscular injuries in this period. But it doesn't matter; the show must go on. And that's why there will be players not fit."

Crystal Palace's Jason Puncheon lies injured as referee Jonathan Moss and Machester City players Nicolas Otamendi, Fernandinho and Eliaquim Mangala look on. David Klein/ Reuters
Crystal Palace's Jason Puncheon lies injured as referee Jonathan Moss and Machester City players Nicolas Otamendi, Fernandinho and Eliaquim Mangala look on. David Klein/ Reuters

Guardiola's comments came as Palace's Scott Dann and Jason Puncheon were ruled out for the remainder of the season. Manager Roy Hodgson said both players had suffered cruciate ligament injuries in Sunday's 0-0 draw with City.

"We won't see anything of those players for the rest of our season and it is going to be hard for them to get ready even for the start of next season, because these are serious injuries," Hodgson said after Palace's 2-1 win at Southampton on Tuesday.

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."

Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne in action with Watford's Molla Wague. Andrew Yates / Reuters
Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne in action with Watford's Molla Wague. Andrew Yates / Reuters

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," Guardiola said.

"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 travelling 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."

_________________

Read more:

_________________

Raheem Sterling scored his ninth goal in nine home league matches, tapping in Leroy Sane's cross as Watford were caught napping in the opening seconds before Christian Kabasele sliced an attempted clearance into his own net in the 13th minute.

Sergio Aguero sealed the victory in the 63rd minute before a late Watford consolation from Andre Gray.

The win put City on 62 points from 22 games, 15 clear of their cross-city rivals Manchester United, although champions Chelsea have the chance to go second, albeit still 14 points behind, if they win at Arsenal on Wednesday.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Jebel Ali Dragons 26 Bahrain 23

Dragons
Tries: Hayes, Richards, Cooper
Cons: Love
Pens: Love 3

Bahrain
Tries: Kenny, Crombie, Tantoh
Cons: Phillips
Pens: Phillips 2

ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
 

The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Monster

Directed by: Anthony Mandler

Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington 

3/5

 

Cricket World Cup League Two

Teams

Oman, UAE, Namibia

Al Amerat, Muscat

 

Results

Oman beat UAE by five wickets

UAE beat Namibia by eight runs

Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs

UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets

 

Fixtures

Saturday January 11 - UAE v Oman

Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Director: Peyton Reed

Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas

Three stars

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

The Little Things

Directed by: John Lee Hancock

Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto

Four stars

Federer's 19 grand slam titles

Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal

French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling

Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic

US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray

Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months