MARATHON MAN CITY

Silva says Pep's side cannot complain about workload despite facing a season that could last 47 weeks

- DAVID ANDERSON

BERNARDO SILVA says Manchester City cannot use their "crazy schedule" as an excuse this season.

City begin their bid to win a record fifth successive Premier League title at Chelsea on Sunday and their campaign could last until July 13 because of FIFA's newly-expanded Club World Cup.

Pep Guardiola told his players not to come back for pre-season until they felt ready and he is well aware of the challenges posed by their 47-week slog.

Silva knows it will be arduous but says City have got used to coping with hectic schedules.

"Pep was very generous to us," said Silva. "He understands we've been playing with this crazy schedule because of FIFA, UEFA, Premier League and all the cups we have.

"It's 70, 80 games a season sometimes, which is not easy for players, so it was very generous of him and now our job is to be serious.

"We must prepare well and come back as fit as possible for another long season, knowing that our rivals came back a little bit earlier and maybe their physical condition is a bit better than ours.

"But that's no excuse. We've had that in the past. We came late last season as well, so that's not an excuse."