Pep Guardiola has confessed to a significant error in judgement, admitting he wished he had rotated his Manchester City squad more frequently before a devastating defensive injury crisis struck. The City boss is now facing a severe shortage of fit centre-backs at a critical juncture in the Premier League title race.
Defensive Collapse: Dias and Gvardiol Sidelined
Medical scans have delivered a brutal double blow to City's backline. Ruben Dias, the team's vice-captain, is set to miss up to six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea. He was injured in the same match where summer signing Josko Gvardiol suffered a broken bone in his right foot, leaving Guardiola's defensive options in tatters.
The immediate consequence is a threadbare selection at the heart of defence. With Dias and Gvardiol out, and John Stones still absent, Nathan Aké and the little-used Abdukodir Khusanov are the only senior central defenders available. Guardiola offered a bleak update on Stones, stating he has 'no idea' when the England international will return, dropping the clearest hint yet that the defender could leave the club in the summer.
Guardiola's Admission and the Title Race Pressure
The timing of these injuries is particularly cruel, given the duo's importance. Dias and Gvardiol had started 11 of City's last 12 Premier League matches, a run where Guardiola largely kept faith with a consistent starting eleven. The manager now rues not giving Khusanov more minutes to keep his stalwarts fresh.
'I would have liked to have given more games to Khusa instead of Ruben,' Guardiola said. 'He has played many games. But Rodri is not there and I wanted characters on the field. Ruben is an incredible leader. Ruben gives us stability.'
He acknowledged his usual philosophy, stating: 'I have always been a guy to rotate, not like Bayer Leverkusen with 10 [changes], which proved to me it is too much for stability. But with two, three or four players you can do it.' The failure to do so has left his squad depleted as they chase a relentless Arsenal, sitting six points behind the leaders after dropping four points in days.
Creative Solutions and a Summer Overhaul
Faced with this emergency, Guardiola insists the club must now be 'creative' in the January transfer window to find solutions. However, he ruled out the possibility of recalling loanees Vitor Reis (at Girona) or Manuel Akanji (at Inter).
The situation has also brought the future of several defenders into sharp focus. Both John Stones and Nathan Aké are out of contract at the end of the season, with major defensive changes planned. On Stones, Guardiola commented: 'What happened in the last two seasons will define the decision at the end of the season. Right now I don't know when he will be back.'
With Aké's fitness requiring careful management and Khusanov not starting a league game since September, City's depth is being tested like never before. Guardiola, however, remains defiant about his squad's mentality: 'I have no doubt we have a good heart. We will find some solutions. If they are tired, it is in their mind.' The coming weeks will reveal if that heart, and any creative January moves, are enough to keep their title defence alive.
