Manchester City's mounting injury concerns have intensified following the early departure of Jeremy Doku during their Champions League encounter with Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium.
Doku's Promising Start Cut Short by Injury
The 23-year-old Belgian winger had been instrumental in City's first-half performance, creating both goals as the Premier League champions established a two-goal advantage over their Turkish opponents. However, with just ten minutes remaining before halftime, Doku fell to the turf in apparent discomfort, necessitating his immediate substitution.
Phil Foden entered the fray as Doku's replacement, but the loss of the influential wide player represents a significant blow to City's attacking dynamics. The precise nature and severity of Doku's knock remain undisclosed, though his premature exit undoubtedly compounds manager Pep Guardiola's existing selection headaches.
Growing Absentee List Compounds Guardiola's Selection Crisis
Doku now joins an extensive list of unavailable first-team players, further straining City's squad depth during a crucial period of the season. Defensive stalwarts Ruben Dias and John Stones were already sidelined alongside Josko Gvardiol, while midfield operator Mateo Kovacic and forward Savinho also missed the Galatasaray fixture through injury.
January acquisitions Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, though ineligible for Champions League duty, have adapted swiftly since their arrivals, providing some relief for Premier League commitments. Nevertheless, Guardiola faces genuine concerns about his available resources as multiple competitions reach their decisive phases.
Oscar Bobb's Departure Reduces Midfield Options
Compounding City's selection difficulties, academy graduate Oscar Bobb completed a £27 million transfer to Fulham earlier on Wednesday. The Norwegian midfielder, who could have provided cover in Doku's absence, sought increased playing opportunities after falling down the pecking order at the Etihad.
Bobb's relationship with Guardiola reportedly deteriorated following his last appearance in December's Carabao Cup victory over Brentford. His departure, while financially beneficial for City, further diminishes Guardiola's options during this injury-plagued period, particularly in creative midfield areas where Doku's absence will be most keenly felt.
As Manchester City await medical assessments on Doku's condition, Guardiola must navigate forthcoming fixtures with a significantly depleted squad, testing the champions' resilience and squad depth during a critical juncture of their season.
