Grealish, Foden punished as Guardiola reads riot act on Christmas parties

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sounded a note of warning to his players over unnecessary and frivolous Christmas celebrations. The Spaniard noted that he would keep a special watch over his players during the festive season as Jack Grealish and Phil Foden were the first culprits of breaking the rules.

Grealish and Foden were pictured at a nightclub in the aftermath of last Thursday's 7-0 victory over Leeds United. The England internationals were subsequently left out of the City starting lineup for Sunday's game against Newcastle United. 

Guardiola has thus reiterated that players who are found to have broken the rules off the pitch will not be allowed to play. The City manager urged his players to remain focused at all times notwithstanding the many distractions during the festive period.

Guardiola told Sky Sports News: "At Christmas time I pay a lot of attention to behaviour on and off the pitch. And when off the pitch is not proper, they are not going to play.

"So we have to be focused all the time because of distractions at Christmas time and everything that happens - you have to still be focused."

The 50-year-old tactician categorically stated that the reason Grealish and Foden were benched against Eddie Howe's side was because of the pairs infringing on the rules. 

"It was not rotation. I decided on this team because they deserved to play today, these guys and not the other ones," Guardiola confirmed.

City are in action next against Leicester City on Sunday 26th December at the Etihad Stadium. The Citizens have been lucky enough to avoid a major outbreak of coronavirus and Guardiola will have an almost full squad to choose from for the visit of Brendan Rodgers' side.