Man City: Guardiola says team need to 'improve in departments'
Pep Guardiola is determined excessive festive celebrations will not be blamed for poor Christmas results again – telling players not to attend Friday night’s club Christmas party.
The Manchester City boss was furious 12 months ago when some first team players took advantage of the staff party, kicking on after the do at Great Northern Warehouse and going on to another bar, Chinawhite, until the early hours.
His mood worsened when some turned up a little worse for wear at training the next day, then the side lost games against Crystal Palace two days later then another to Leicester City on Boxing Day.
In order to avoid a repeat Guardiola was set to be the sole representative of the first team at last night’s bash at a bar on Albion Street near Deansgate Locks.
However, while expecting players to be tucked up in bed and ready for training on Friday morning ahead of Sunday’s trip to Arsenal, it is understood he may allow them to organise their own bash on another night.
Pep Guardiola bans Man City stars from Christmas party amid fears of another festive slip (Image: GETTY)
Pep Guardiola bans Man City stars from Christmas party amid fears of another festive slip (Image: GETTY)
Speaking after Gabriel Jesus provided the 500th goal of his City tenure in the midweek win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions Legaue, Guardiola joked the Citizens are in need of 500 more over the next two months as they chase down Liverpool.
The defending Premier League champions trail Liverpool by 14 points after 16 matches as they seek a third straight triumph.
“It’s nice (to reach it). We’ve scored a lot and not conceded so many. In some games we have scored a lot,” the Catalan said.
“It’s nice 500 times of joy, these four years together we’ve had fun and incredible amount of good moments, hopefully we can score 500 more – in two months!
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Pep Guardiola bans Man City stars from Christmas party amid fears of another festive slip (Image: GETTY)
“We are delighted with Gabby and hopefully it can help his mood to be incredible positive. He helps us to defend but a striker needs goals and today he scored three so it important for everyone.”
Jesus is deputising for the injured Sergio Aguero, who has not played since the win over Chelsea at the end of November, in which he picked up a thigh problem.
And the Brazilian admitted he feels the pressure of having to fill in for the Argentine, City’s all-time top goalscorer.
“I cannot talk about other players I can only talk about me, and when I’m not happy with me I want to shoot myself in the head because it's difficult for me,” Jesus said.
“I think ‘Oh my god I have to score, I have to score, I have to score’. When I have the chance sometimes I miss because I think too much and put too much pressure on myself.
“I try. I'm getting better. I’m working to score and don’t think about the pressure.
“Always I think ‘Wow, I have to score’ because I'm playing for a big club in big competitions with big players.
“I say 'next game'. Like I say sometimes it can happen that you don't score. It happened with me but I keep working and try, try, try and this month was a good month for me.
“Honestly, last month I was no good and I wasn't happy. I played nine or ten games and I didn't score and I missed chances so I'm not happy with that.
“When this happens of course I cannot be happy. Sometimes football is like that. You have to keep working hard and try to score, try to help the team and work and that's what I have done.
Pep Guardiola bans Man City stars from Christmas party amid fears of another festive slip (Image: GETTY)
“I don't think about pressure. I take the pressure for me, because I have to score sometimes and sometimes when I miss a chance it's done for me. My family help me and push me again and again so I think that's the way.”
Jesus also scored a brace in a Premier League win over Burnley earlier this month and will hope to be back among the goals at Arsenal this weekend.
He has never previously started against the Gunners in the Premier League and with the north London club having conceded 24 times in 16 top-flight matches, Jesus will be keen to make the most of his opportunity.
City face Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday (4.30pm).
