Manchester City got off to an extremely unfortunate start to the new year. In addition to two draws, the Skyblues are growing increasingly concerned about their central defense. Among other things, Josko Gvardiol suffered a broken shin against Chelsea.
With only two points from two games, Manchester City started 2026 and had to let Arsenal pull six points ahead. In an attempt to make up the deficit, Pep Guardiola will have to do without his regular center-backs, at least for a while: the Catalan had to substitute both Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias in the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea. “It doesn’t look good for him or Ruben,” Guardiola was quoted as saying in a statement released by the club on Sunday. A day later, the diagnosis confirmed the worst – at least for Gvardiol, who was injured in a challenge with Malo Gusto shortly after the restart. As the Skyblues announced on Monday evening, the Croatian suffered a broken right tibia and will undergo surgery later this week. Further tests will determine how long the 23-year-old will actually be out of action. The club has not yet provided an update on Ruben Dias, but Guardiola suspects that it is a muscle injury. “We have a lot of injuries. John Stones will be out for I don’t know how many months. Ruben will now be out, Josko will be out,” said the Cityzens coach.
Will City respond with the transfer of Guehi?
Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Aké replaced the duo in central defense in the final stages against Chelsea. Guardiola has rarely used either player so far this season. Khusanov has started three times in the league, Aké only twice. However, they are likely to improve their statistics on Wednesday evening (8:30 p.m.) against Brighton. Max Alleyne, who played 90 minutes for Watford on January 1, is also likely to be included in the matchday squad. Manchester City terminated his loan with the Hornets early due to the shortage of central defenders.
If Ruben Dias is also out for a longer period, the Premier League’s second-placed team could also become active in the transfer market.
According to a BBC media report, there is interest in Marc Guehi, who will be available on a free transfer next summer and almost joined Liverpool FC last summer. A move for the Crystal Palace defender to Manchester would therefore not be out of the question in the current transfer window.
