The Premier League season has just started and Man City have won their first two games. But for Pep Guardiola, he is worried about the welfare of players in England’s top-flight. Fingers crossed that the league doesn’t grind to a halt anytime soon!
The “man city lineup today” is a blog post by Pep Guardiola, who warned of a Premier League player strike. Guardiola said that he would be forced to take drastic measures if the players do not agree with his plans for their welfare.
8:45 a.m. Eastern Time
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Dawson, Rob Correspondent
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, says that if Premier League players want their wellbeing to be taken seriously, they may have to threaten a strike.
Jordan Henderson, a Liverpool midfielder, has expressed worry that a busy match schedule is jeopardizing players’ health and safety, especially during the coronavirus epidemic.
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Despite mounting COVID-19 instances, the Premier League has declared that it would continue to play games over the holidays and into the new year. Although Guardiola endorsed Henderson’s views, the City manager warned that forcing adjustments, such as increasing replacements from three to five each game, would not be enough.
“It should be all the players and coaches coming together and striking; it won’t be solved by words alone,” Guardiola said at a press conference on Thursday.
“The business is more important than their wellness for FIFA, the Premier League, and the broadcasters.” The most basic example is that there are five substitutes everywhere across the globe, but only three here.
“Tell me another reason to care about athletes’ well-being than this one.”
“OK, we’re not going to play any more until we figure out what’s going on.” Perhaps then the public will pay heed.
Following a spate of postponements due to COVID-19 breakouts, the Premier League is facing a scheduling backlog. Getty Images/Visionhaus
“I don’t believe [a strike] will occur because we want to play and continue.” Make people happy by coming to the stadium and playing games on the 26th, 27th, 29th, 31st [of December] and 1st [of January] because we like it. I’m not suggesting that a strike is necessary. When it comes to World Cups, European Cups, Carabao Cup semifinals over two legs, FA Cups, and the Premier League, though, more games, more games, and fewer vacations come to mind.
“They need vacations. They need a two- to three-week break. And now we’re talking about player welfare at that point? No. It’s a serious issue.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola has said that even if Ferran Torres left for Barcelona, City would not recruit a new striker in January.
According to ESPN, the Spain international is close to joining Camp Nou in a deal for roughly £47 million plus add-ons, and Guardiola said that the club did not want to stand in his way after he made it obvious that he wanted to go.
“No, we won’t sign a striker in January,” Guardiola stated.
“I’m aware they’re in talks [with Barcelona for Torres].” I believe it is a close call. Txiki [Begiristain] did not contact or text me to inform me that it was already completed.
“I want my guys to be happy. If you are unhappy, you must go, as I have said many times. We are not like other clubs in that those who choose to quit must do so.
“The other issue is the club’s agreement; this is not my concern.” You must remain if the clubs do not agree.
“You want to go because you think you’ll be happier someplace else, and you have no choice but to leave. I will not be disappointed if he decides to depart. I am glad for him if the clubs can come to an agreement.”
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned that Premier League player strikes are a possibility amid welfare concerns. Reference: epl fixtures this weekend.
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