"Man City's training ground is like the Hilton" - Ex-Liverpool striker on Guardiola asking his players to sleep at training ground on Christmas Day

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has downplayed the notion that Manchester City’s players had a miserable Christmas after being made to stay at the club’s training ground. Saunders, speaking on talkSPORT, insisted it was far from an unusual situation in professional football and likely a comfortable experience given the luxurious facilities at City’s disposal.

Pep Guardiola’s side, under mounting pressure after a worrying run of form, were asked to stay overnight at the Etihad on Christmas Day as they prepared for their Boxing Day clash against Everton. With nine losses in their last 12 games, including a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in their most recent outing, Guardiola was determined to maintain focus during the festive period.

Here's what Guardiola said (via talkSPORT):

"We train today, we train tomorrow (Christmas Day) night, we will stay over here and we are going to play on Boxing Day. Hopefully, they want to be here because it’s our job."

Saunders, however, found humour in the situation, imagining the players gathered together in festive pyjamas watching a Christmas special. Here's what he said while speaking to talkSPORT:

"It sounds bad staying at the training ground. But Man City’s training ground is like the Hilton."

The former Liverpool striker went on to highlight that such arrangements are standard practice at top clubs. Recalling his own experiences during his Liverpool days in the 1990s, Saunders explained how players would routinely stay in hotels before home games.

"At home games, yeah, we’d stay in the hotel, and Roy Evans and Ronnie Moran would come around about half-ten to check your room. They’d knock with red and blue tablets pretending they were anti-inflammatories, but all they were doing was making sure you weren’t sneaking out," he added.

Saunders was quick to defend the festive football tradition in England, taking a swipe at those who have called for a winter break.

While Pep Guardiola has previously expressed frustration with the demanding schedule, Saunders urged fans to appreciate the unique charm of the Boxing Day fixtures. He said:

"Our grandad used to take us to football on Boxing Day. The festive period is brilliant in English football. The fans love it, the players love it, and it’s what makes this league the best in the world."

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Saunders said Man City can turn things around despite Liverpool emerging as runaway leaders

For Manchester City, though, the celebrations will be muted until they find a way to reverse their form. Saunders remains confident Guardiola’s squad has the quality to turn things around even as Liverpool have emerged as runaway leaders. He said:

"The cream always rises to the top. The players he’s got are too good to stay down for long."

The former Liverpool man said that everyone enjoys the festive period while the managers hate it.

He further said players get to spend time with their families and party during the off-season in the summer, implying that the remaining months serve as pure entertainment for honest patrons.

"As a footballer, you're 10 months on, two months off, on full pay. So in the summer, you get paid for sitting, when everyone's sweating at work in an office, you're on a boat somewhere getting full pay. So for the 10 months you're on, which includes Easter holidays, Christmas holidays, we are the entertainment for the public," he further added.

While the decision to spend Christmas at the training ground might seem unconventional, Saunders suggested it could serve as a bonding experience for City’s stars. With their plush facilities and Guardiola’s meticulous planning, the players’ festive sleepover might not have been so bad after all.