Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed concern over his side’s injury list.
Since the penalty shoot-out defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield, Man City have been near-perfect.
They sit top of the Premier League with five wins from five, beat Sevilla on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup, and made a winning start to their defence of the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade.
However, this form has not come without some setbacks. On the opening day of the league season, playmaker Kevin De Bruyne was substituted in the 23rd minute with a hamstring injury which is expected to keep him out until the new year.
John Stones is also yet to make an appearance since the Community Shield fixture. Meanwhile, Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic have been out of action lately.
During Tuesday’s win against Red Star Belgrade, another injury concern popped up for the Cityzens.
Bernardo Silva was taken off shortly before half-time and replaced by summer signing Jeremy Doku. Guardiola has since confirmed that the Portuguese will likely be sidelined for ‘the next few weeks’.
Speaking after the Red Star Belgrade victory, as quoted by the BBC, Guardiola said: “We are in trouble, but I am not going to say ‘oh, we have a lot of injuries’. It is what it is. With the players we have, we will go for it. As long as we have that mentality, that is good.
“We have five really important players injured and to sustain that for a long time would be difficult.
“Unfortunately, it is a long time for Kevin [De Bruyne]. John [Stones] didn’t play, it’s a little bit long. Maybe Kova (Mateo Kovacic) is coming back. Jack [Grealish] maybe in a week or ten days, but after he needs his condition.”
The treble winners have a tough run of fixtures coming up from now until the next international break in October.
After the weekend’s home clash with Nottingham Forest, they travel to St. James’ Park in the League Cup to face last year’s runners-up Newcastle United.
They face Wolverhampton Wanderers next in the league before a trip to RB Leipzig in the Champions League. This is followed by a potentially pivotal Premier League outing against Arsenal, who are currently unbeaten in all competitions.
Despite the injury woes. Guardiola will be encouraged by the form of his other attacking options. Erling Braut Haaland has been as good as ever, leading the Golden Boot race with seven goals in five games.
Julian Alvarez has bagged four goals and three assists in his last seven appearances, and Doku has looked promising in his first three games for the club.
