Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias were forced off against Chelsea, while a host of first teamers are sidelined for City
Pep Guardiola is “concerned” after Manchester City lost both Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias in the second half against Chelsea to leave his defence nearly picked clean of first teamers.
Gvardiol was forced off after 51 minutes and Dias left half an hour later. City ended the game with Abdukodir Khusanov, Nathan Ake, Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes as the back line, the only first teamers left who can play in defence, except perhaps Rico Lewis who can occasionally slot in as a full-back.
“Of course I have concerns,” said Guardiola after the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Etihad. “Have you seen the bench today? Four players from the academy and now we will have more. We don’t have players.”
City took the lead in the first half through Tijjani Reijnders, as they try to close down the gap between them and league leaders Arsenal, but Chelsea hit back in stoppage time, Enzo Fernandez poking home to salvage a draw and keep City six points behind the Gunners. But rather than the points dropped, the bigger worry for Guardiola might be the number of players now missing after two more left the pitch injured.
“We have a lot [of injuries],” said Guardiola. “John Stones is missing for I don’t know how many months. Ruben now will be out, Josko will be out. Nathan, always we know with Nathan he cannot play regularly. It’s the situation.”
In more positive news, midfielder Rodri started his first game for City since October, but Guardiola doesn’t know whether the Spaniard will be able to play against Brighton on Wednesday. He needs to be reintroduced slowly as he works his way back to full fitness, and so may be unable to play twice within three days.
His replacement Nico Gonzalez is also an injury doubt after going off injured at half-time against Sunderland on New Year’s Day. City’s other defensive midfielder Mateo Kovacic is a long-term absentee. Winger Savinho is also struggling with fitness. He was unable to face Chelsea and remains a doubt for the Brighton game.
Guardiola said he was particularly worried about Gvardiol after the defender had to be helped off the pitch by Chelsea’s Reece James and a member of City’s medical team.
“We’ll see tomorrow [Monday], it doesn’t look good,” said Guardiola. “Him and Ruben, we’ll see what happens. I didn’t speak to the doctor, but if Ruben is out it’s because he felt something.”
However, the manager tried to be upbeat, saying the message was to “stay strong”.
“Stay strong and we will find a solution,” Guardiola said. “The spirit is there and will be there.”
