Pep gives stars vote on skipper

from TIM GRAY in Shenzhen MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola is willing to let his players choose their new captain.

Current skipper Vincent Kompany is struggling to be fit for the start of the season, having missed Euro 2016 through injury.

The Belgium ace has a shocking injury record at City, where club bosses have serious doubts about his long-term fitness.

But new boss Guardiola reckons the players know each other better than he does and should decide who will replace Kompany when he is not in the team.

Joe Hart, Yaya Toure and David Silva are among the favourites to take the armband and Guardiola said: “The players have to choose the captain. They have to decide.

“If Vincent Kompany is not playing because he is injured, or my decision, then it is not a big problem.

“We have a lot of experience. Joe, Yaya. I am not in the locker room. I am not in the meetings. They have to choose themselves. We are here three

Fiasco

Guardiola also blasted the promoters of the International Champions Cup tournament for their Beijing pitch fiasco.

City were supposed to face Manchester United in the Bird’s Nest Stadium on Monday but it was called off after storms made the pitch unplayable.

“We didn’t travel to China for a holiday,” said Guardiola.

“It was the first time we have had to cancel a game, so maybe it was a lesson for the people who organise it.

“They are inviting players and providing good hotels, but if we can’t play on the pitch, then it doesn’t matter.

“For them the pitch doesn’t matter, but the pitch is the most important thing for coaches and players.” weeks. They know each other better than me. It is their responsibility.”

Guardiola has also issued a public warning to his players over their fitness.

The Spaniard has banned some of them from training with the first-team squad as they are overweight. He has banned sugary drinks and fast food.

He said: “I want my players fit. The weight is so, so important. You need to run, fight, jump, head the ball and then after two days you need to do it again.

“After three days you have to do it again.

“When you are not fit, danger is coming. You are not fast enough or quick enough in the head. That is why you need to be fit.”