No let-up from Manchester City and no sympathy for his players from Pep Guardiola.
Progress in the FA Cup means another game to shoehorn into an already bulging fixture list, but the City boss has no plans to give his players a break any time soon.
On the contrary, the message from Guardiola is quite clear: you can rest when you have retired.
Pep Guardiola insists his Manchester City stars can rest when they retire from the game
While Premier League title rivals Liverpool were sunning themselves in Dubai last week, City’s travels took them to Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion.
Tuesday’s trip to Newcastle means they will have played four games by the time Liverpool return to action.
It doesn’t get any easier, either. Reaching the Carabao Cup final has forced City to reluctantly accept their league game at Everton being rearranged for a week on Wednesday in between crucial home fixtures against Arsenal and Chelsea. The Champions League resumes next month.
Guardiola maintains that winning the Quadruple is ‘fantasy’ but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to try. Excuses? Not likely.
City's 5-0 demolition of Burnley was concluded by Sergio Aguero slotting home a penalty
‘Sometimes I tell the players it’s a privilege,’ he said. ‘If they believe it’s a handicap, they are making a big mistake.
‘When you are 35 years old you can have long, long holidays, no problem. You will be retired and after that take one year for holidays. But at the moment, it’s a privilege. Take it. Enjoy it.
‘Next one, win again. Whatever competition, it doesn’t matter. Friendly game, win again, play good, prepare well. That is the only way. Then you work for the next season.
‘I cannot give them days off. This is the only way if you have four competitions. You have games every three days. No rest, mentally and physically. We need them.
Kevin De Bruyne lashed the ball home to put City 3-0 ahead and out of reach on Saturday
‘When one player plays
