Pep Guardiola: Premier League schedule is going to kill players

'We are going to kill them,' Guardiola told reporters after his team's 3-1 win over Watford on Tuesday as City extended their lead over closest rivals Manchester United to 15 points.

'The bosses have to reflect. It's not normal to play 31st and two days later,' added Guardiola, referring to City's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday and then the Watford game.



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'I know the show must go on but that is not normal, they have to control it. They don't protect the players, they are the people we come to watch -- not the managers or the press conferences.

'Here in England you don't protect the players, you have to look for the quality not the quantity.'

City defender Kyle Walker ended the match holding his right thigh and Guardiola said it wasn't a coincidence so many players were picking up muscular injuries.

'The players need recovery. The schedule does not protect the player. I think the schedule will always happen because of the tradition but think about the players -- they are artists.'

Four games over Christmas and the new year has long been a tradition in English football, but even before the Watford game Guardiola had said that amount of matches in 11 days wasn't healthy for the players.

'If you tell me that technically, physically it's good for the players: no, it's a disaster,' said Guardiola.

READ: EPL fixture list a 'disaster,' says Guardiola

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Football calendar

The Premier League has defended its schedule, saying the 2018 World Cup in Russia has made this season particularly difficult in arranging fixtures.

'The Premier League is a national competition and the scheduling of fixtures is complex,' said the Premier League in a statement. 'It includes having to ensure twinned clubs do not play at home at the same time, and take into account police requests, local events, broadcasting selections and several other factors.

'Over recent years, FIFA and UEFA have taken more dates from the football calendar, restricting the opportunities in which to schedule 38 Premier League match rounds.

'With the World Cup squad call-ups commencing in May 2018, these restrictions are tightened further this season with an early conclusion to domestic competition.'

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'Utter craziness'

Sports strength coach Simon Brundish, who has worked with a number of Premier League clubs over a 21-year career, described the schedule as 'utter craziness.'

'These elite athletes need four days between games to 'fully' recover,' Brunish told CNN Sport.

'One is demanding injury, while one day between games after three games in nine days is accepting it in return for money,' added Brundish, a reference to the billion-dollar television deal the Premier League and its clubs signed with broadcasters.

'The injuries they cause now have repercussions for the season and often careers of these footballers. Ask Mo Salah of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alii or Mesut Ozil of Arsenal when the World Cup comes round in June.'

Go to CNN.com/sport for more stories & features

Europe's other top leagues enjoy a winter break. Germany's Bundesliga and France's Ligue 1 returns to action on January 12, while Spain's La Liga will re-start on January 6.

READ: EPL fixture list a 'disaster,' says Guardiola Sports strength coach Simon Brundish, who has worked with a number of Premier League clubs over a 21-year career, described the schedule as 'utter craziness.' Sports strength coach Simon Brundish, who has worked with a number of Premier League clubs over a 21-year career, described the schedule as 'utter craziness.' Do you agree with Guardiola? Have your say on our Facebook page. 'One is demanding injury, while one day between games after three games in nine days is accepting it in return for money,' added Brundish, a reference to the billion-dollar television deal the Premier League and its clubs signed with broadcasters. 'With the World Cup squad call-ups commencing in May 2018, these restrictions are tightened further this season with an early conclusion to domestic competition.' Go to CNN.com/sport for more stories & features 'We are going to kill them,' Guardiola told reporters after his team's 3-1 win over Watford on Tuesday as City extended their lead over closest rivals Manchester United to 15 points. 'Here in England you don't protect the players, you have to look for the quality not the quantity.' READ: The unstoppable rise of the 'Insta-trainer' 'If you tell me that technically, physically it's good for the players: no, it's a disaster,' said Guardiola. READ: The unstoppable rise of the 'Insta-trainer' 'The bosses have to reflect. It's not normal to play 31st and two days later,' added Guardiola, referring to City's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday and then the Watford game.

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