'Without players you cannot play' - Man City boss Pep Guardiola speaks out on Rodri strike threat amid loaded fixture schedule

Guardiola echoed Rodri's sentiments that the players are the most important factor in football, with the City boss claiming that any change would only come from the actions of his own stars. Rodri had criticised the decision to add more fixtures to the football calendar, believing many players would be willing to go on strike as 'we are the guys who suffer'.

UEFA has introduced a new-style Champions League format, leading to more fixtures being added to an already-intensive football calendar. City are also set to play in the revamped Club World Cup at the end of the season, which will feature additional teams and matches, leading to Rodri's claim that the wellbeing of players was being overlooked, although some have claimed any notion of a strike as 'nonsense'.

Guardiola said: "I agree that many voices are talking about the players. If something is going to change, it must come from the players. They are the only ones who can change something.

"The business can be without managers, sporting directors, media and owners - but without players you cannot play. They alone have the power to do it."

The intensity does not stop for City, with Guardiola's men facing off against Arsenal on Sunday in a match which could have significant implications on the title come the end of the season.

City will then play in three competitions over the course of a week, hosting Watford in the Carabao Cup before visiting Newcastle in the Premier League followed by a Champions League trip to Slovan Bratislava prior to the international break.