Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola addressed reporters on Monday regarding the ongoing injury crisis that has plagued his team this season. With key players sidelined, including Rodri, Guardiola expressed the challenges of navigating a difficult Premier League campaign and the potential need for reinforcements during the upcoming January transfer window.
Guardiola emphasized the irreplaceable nature of Rodri, who suffered ruptured knee ligaments in September, stating, “Rodri is impossible but the other ones [injured players] I want back. If it would have happened I wouldn’t be going to the transfer window this season. Absolutely not.” The absence of Rodri has been keenly felt, contributing to City's struggles, which have seen them drop to sixth place in the league standings, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.
The situation has been exacerbated by injuries to key defenders John Stones and Ruben Dias. Guardiola acknowledged that City’s title defense appears to be in jeopardy after experiencing six league defeats this season. Despite these setbacks, he insisted that his focus remains solely on the upcoming match against Brentford, dismissing speculation about transfer dealings. “No news. I’m not going to add anything, no more news. I only have Brentford on my mind,” he remarked.
Reflecting on past decisions, Guardiola admitted that it may have been a misstep to rule out signings in the summer. “In the summer the club thought about [signings] and I said: ‘No, I don’t want to make any signings,’” he stated. However, as the team grapples with multiple injuries, the need for new talent has become increasingly apparent.
Guardiola also touched on the uncertain future of defender Kyle Walker, who had requested to leave the club. He revealed that he has no updates regarding Walker’s situation but indicated that Walker could potentially be included in the squad for the match against Brentford.
Additionally, the manager couldn't confirm whether a deal had been finalized for Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov. This uncertainty adds to the growing concerns surrounding City’s squad depth as they prepare for a challenging period ahead.
As January approaches, Manchester City faces crucial decisions regarding player acquisitions to bolster their ranks. Without significant signings since 2018, the club must reevaluate its strategy to address injury woes and restore its competitive edge in the league.
