Pep Guardiola has banned Manchester City players from overindulging in the festive period. The manager has made it clear that anybody returning from the Christmas break out of shape will be left out of the upcoming match against Nottingham Forest. Guardiola even denied his players a day off following their comfortable Premier League win over West Ham on Saturday, ensuring his message was well received.

Despite the comprehensive victory over the Hammers, which marked their fifth successive league win and briefly placed them at the top of the table, the Spaniard was not satisfied with the performance. He revealed: “The players asked me to take a day off. I said: ‘No, because you didn’t play good enough’.”

Guardiola further explained his strict regimen for the holiday period, with the City manager refusing to let his players go crazy when it comes to their food intake

He said: “Sunday recovery, train the guys that didn’t play, and after three days off they have two days to prepare for Nottingham Forest.

“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.

“The moment they arrive after three days I want to see how they come back. They can eat but I want to control them. I have to make a selection for Nottingham Forest.”

Guardiola concluded with a stark warning: “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.”

He did acknowledge that he currently views ‘everything perfect’ regarding fitness levels, but emphasised that other elements of the performance against the Hammers concerned him more.

Guardiola explained: “The problem is not running. One of the attributes of my teams since I started in Barcelona B until now is that we run like an animal, but it’s not enough. We have to play better.”

Nevertheless, the former Barcelona boss believes it’s vital for his players to spend quality time with their families and unwind properly.

This marks the first occasion since the November international break that City haven’t faced a midweek fixture, and Guardiola himself is travelling to Barcelona to visit his father.

He remarked: “Next week I have holidays, being with family and with champagne. I’ve learned from England, since I arrived, as much days (where you can) have a day off, you give them.

“The schedule is so tight and the players have to forget. The more they arrive in the right moment (the better). The moment of the game they will be fresh in the legs.

“The players have to go with the families and forget football. It’s good. For them to see the manager every day – that’s so tough.”