**Pep Guardiola has confirmed the club’s plans around Christmas, revealing that the first-team squad will stay overnight at Manchester City’s training ground on Wednesday.**
The Premier League champions are returning to action in the midweek following a weekend defeat to Aston Villa away from home last time out, as goals from the hosts either side of the half-time interval put the scoreline beyond any doubt.
Phil Foden would net a late goal for City but it was too little too late for the visitors as Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers secured all three points for Unai Emery’s side, leaving Manchester City in seventh position in the Premier League table.
Next up for City is the traditional Boxing Day clash and it is Guardiola’s side who kick-off proceedings in the early slot of 12:30 against Everton at the Etihad Stadium, meaning their preparation plans and schedules are slightly different to previous seasons.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed to reporters the plan that has now been signed off by the club for Manchester City’s players ahead of their meeting with Everton.
“We train today (Tuesday), we train tomorrow (Wednesday) night, we will stay over here (at the City Football Academy), and we are going to play on Boxing Day,” the Manchester City manager revealed.
Guardiola also confirmed that his players have been with their family for two days including Tuesday, and will continue to be with their family on the morning of Christmas Day before arriving at the club’s training ground on the same evening for training.
It has also been confirmed that Manchester City will have an overnight stay at the club’s training facility ahead of their clash with Everton on Thursday lunchtime, as Guardiola said, “Hopefully they (the players) want to be here, because it’s our job.”
City are desperate to climb the Premier League table and bring an end to a torrid run of form that has seen them lose nine matches in their last 12 games across competitions, slipping to 22nd in the UEFA Champions League alongside their domestic troubles.
City may also have to face a number of injury and fitness problems when they host Everton this week, with Ruben Dias joining John Stones, Rodri, and Oscar Bobb in the list of confirmed absentees, whilst there remains uncertainty over Matheus Nunes and Ederson’s situation.