Pep Guardiola: Premier League schedule is going to 'kill' players

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has renewed his criticism of the Premier League's fixture schedule, urging organizers to think about the risk players were facing with games held so closely together over the festive period.

"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.
"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."

Kyle Walker heads the ball clear in the game against Watford.
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."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants more recovery time for players in between games.
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.