NHO SLACKING
Fernandinho gave Manchester City stars a New Years Day in a crisis meeting to lead the club’s title defense.
Manager Pep Guardiola groaned the Brazilian about the attitudes in the camp after a bad training session on December 31.
So the club captain stepped in as the leader of the group to put things right – before the team embarked on a breathtaking victorious run towards the Premier League title.
Fernandinho told The Players’ Tribune: “I’m usually not the type of big talker, but a few months ago I really had no choice.
“It was December 31st, New Years Eve. We were eighth in the Premier League table. And we had just finished training. And Pep wasn’t happy.
“It wasn’t a good session. The attitude, the body language, the effort of some players, it was just obvious: misplaced passes, players who don’t track, don’t run, don’t look interested.
“It wasn’t us. This wasn’t the team that had won two titles in a row or had a record number of points.
“Pep told me that not everyone was 100 percent. And on this team, when you come to practice, do it 100 percent or you stay home. As soon as you step on the field there is no conversation, no negotiation .
“He was right. And he made it clear that the responsibility for upholding those standards was mine.”
Credit: The Sun