Pep Guardiola making Manchester City’s foreign stars take English EXAMS to help on-pitch communication
City stars go back to school as Guardiola continues to make an impact on his squad in an attempt to bring success to the Etihad
MANCHESTER CITY stars have been sent back to school by Pep Guardiola in an attempt to turn them into world-beaters.
Nicolas Otamendi has revealed City's foreign players are being made to take English exams as part of Guardiola's overhaul at the club.
Guardiola's men have been on the same page this season, topping the Premier League and all but ensuring their Champions League progress.
And Argentine defender Otamendi has told how the Spaniard's meticulous approach extends to making his overseas stars fully fluent in English.
The £28.5million 2015 buy from Valencia helped City beat Napoli 2-1 at the Etihad on Tuesday.
And he has played a key role in the City side that sits top of the Premier League and on course to shatter all goalscoring records this season.
Otamendi told Argentine radio station Fox Sport Radio: "We are compelled to have meals together as a team after matches.
"Diet and rest are important as our games come thick and fast.
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"Pep is very demanding about our food, and also with the matter of us studying English.
"That is because it is the language used in team meetings. I will have an English examination in December.
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"Pep puts everything on a plate for us so that things turn out perfectly in matches, and the team performs fluidly."
Otamendi says Guardiola maintains a close relationship with all his players, in an effort to keep them feeling relaxed and able to perform.
But he says once the time comes to focus on matches, there is nothing else the manager will let them think about.
He added: "He is always on top of things. He doesn't just talk about football - he'll ask us about our families and these sorts of matters.
"But when it is time for us to focus on our game, the joking comes to a stop."