Skipper Bruno Fernandes leads a six-member “leadership group” that Ruben Amorim has asked to keep his team in line.
Baas Amorim revealed that Fernandes and Harry Maguire have been accompanied by the Argentinian Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot, keeper Tom Heaton and Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui to guard the internal code of conduct.
The “rules” are set out and include the behavior of players when they are in club company, with stars encouraged to sign signatures and communicate with fans on Match-Day.
Amorim, 40, said: “We have rules and the rules are not to treat players as babies.
In a brutal honest, no-hold-baled interview, Amorim revealed:
“They have sons, so I treat each of them as a man, but they now have rules.
“That can change the way you train. If you do not train in the right way, I have images to show you. And I will show you for everyone, not only speak, but also show you.
“So I am always at the top, but I will expect that it will only be one phase and that I don't have to do anything because they will push each other.
“I will show everything. So that really requires a lot of energy.
“But this year is that I have more people to do that. We now have a leadership group.
“It's not just Bruno. It's not just Harry. They are now six boys. They are responsible for the group.
“There are some things that had to do with that in the past year. I said to them:” This year you are dealing with that; the small problems are with you. You are responsible. “
After he had mentioned his sextet, Amorim added: “They are not just the oldest.
“Nous (Mazraoui) is in the group because he is a character that I like.
“I try to understand the dynamics of the group. Try to reach every room. They are the boys who are responsible for keeping everyone in line.”