Pep Guardiola backs Rodri after Man City star said footballers are ‘close’ to striking over schedule… but insists that there will only be change if there are ‘many players talking’

Pep Guardiola has warned football authorities it would be a mistake to ignore potential strike rumours from his Manchester City prospect Rodri and other top stars.

Rodri’s claim that players are closer than ever to a strike due to increasingly busy fixtures has been dismissed as scaremongering.

But Guardiola – a long-time champion of footballers’ welfare – senses the mood is serious.

“I’m pretty sure if anything needs to change it has to come from the players and there are a lot of voices talking about that,” he said.

‘They are the only ones who can change the organization (of the competitions) by making their voices heard and doing something.

Pep Guardiola (right) has called on football authorities to take Rodri’s (left) warning of a strike seriously

Rodri’s (left) claim has been dismissed by some outsiders as scaremongering.

Rodri could play up to 73 games in a packed campaign for the Premier League champions

“The business can run without managers, sporting directors, owners and media, but without players the game cannot be played. The only ones who have the power to do it are them.”

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson complained last week that players are not being consulted about more Champions League games and Rodri – who is due to play for City at the Club World Cup next summer – went further, saying players “may have no other option” than to strike without change.

Guardiola agrees that matches are less attractive when players are tired. ‘That’s why, not only Rodri, many other players do it.

“I would say that not only in this country, but all over the world, people are starting to talk. We’ll see.”

Guardiola will monitor Kevin De Bruyne in training before deciding whether he will play against Arsenal on Sunday in a clash between the Premier League’s top two sides.

The Belgian was substituted at half-time against Internazionale on Wednesday evening with a tap.

Arsenal have been City’s biggest rivals in the last two of their four consecutive title seasons.

“They are doing a lot of good things, like pressing high, defending deep and in transition,” said Guardiola, who predicts a tough afternoon for Erling Haaland, who failed to score in three games against the Gunners last season.

Guardiola said it is up to the players to change the organisation of the matches by expressing their opinions

“Saliba and Gabriel are incredibly focused on Erling all the time,” the City boss said. “It’s not one-on-one, it’s always two-on-one or three-on-one. That’s why it’s difficult to attack them.

‘Set-pieces are not easy because they are taller than us and they are so strong defensively that they gather a lot of players.

‘That’s why I have to read carefully, because that’s how we have to do it.’