Pep Guardiola has been full of praise for a decision made by the Premier League ahead of this weekend’s fixtures and he has requested for more of the same going forwards.
Player welfare has become a much talked about topic over recent years due to the ever busy schedule teams are required to fulfil.
It has become the norm for clubs to to play a match at both the weekend and midweek and this is often blamed as the reason for so many players picking up injuries.
However, the footballing authorities hold the power to make positive changes and Pep Guardiola is pleased with the way the Premier League have handled Manchester City’s next game.
Pep Guardiola asks Premier League to allow more rest days
Newcastle United played in the Champions League on Wednesday night, venturing as far as Baku to fulfil their European obligation.
Pep Guardiola is therefore pleased that the Premier League have scheduled his team’s fixture against the Magpies for 8pm, rather than the afternoon.
Despite this, he has called on the league to provide the same luxury to all English clubs competing in Europe in the future, including Manchester City.
He said: “I have experience with that, on the opposite side. Only I can say is a big compliment for the Premier League to put the game to 8pm and not 3pm after this trip [to Baku].
“They [Newcastle] can travel tomorrow, it’s a big difference. At the end, the Premier League [should] think about Premier League teams. Hopefully this can be provided for the future for all teams in England that play in Europe, to have proper rest, to be ready.
“I don’t know what it’s about sometimes. The broadcasters say it’s not allowed, I don’t know who took the decisions, to be honest, but big compliment.”
Man City have had a quiet schedule
While Newcastle have had a little more time to rest due to the selected kick off time of their clash against City, they will still be feeling fatigued after Wednesday night.
Whereas Man City have had a week without any fixtures, so they will have the advantage when it comes to player fitness.
Although Eddie Howe is hopeful Newcastle will be okay, his team have given so much over the past couple of weeks and getting a result away to City could be too much to ask.
