Manchester City

Pep Guardiola: 'Manchester City players given four-day break'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 03 February 2018

Pep Guardiola confirms that Manchester City's players have been given four days off following the 1-1 draw with Burnley to do "whatever they want".

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Manchester City's players have been given four days off to do "whatever they want".

The Citizens sit 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League table following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Burnley and are also still in the Champions League, EFL Cup and FA Cup.

Speaking prior to the match at Turf Moor, Guardiola confirmed that the players will not have to report back for training until Wednesday afternoon.

Sergio Aguero broke a rib and was ruled out for two weeks after being involved in a car crash while on a break in Amsterdam, but Guardiola says there are no restrictions on the players.

"The doors of the CFA (City Football Academy) will be closed," Guardiola told Sky Sports News. "They can travel, they can do whatever they want

"They have to forget a little bit about football, be with their families and friends and move on.

"Wednesday afternoon we have to prepare here, three training sessions for Leicester and Basel, and we have to move on. But we need a break a little bit, everybody.

"Not just the players, the staff, the physios, everybody. It was a tough, tough period in winter time. We have that chance for three or four days and we give it to them."

Man City face Leicester City in the Premier League next Saturday while the Champions League last-16 first leg against Basel takes place on Tuesday, February 13.