Man City transfer news: Pep Guardiola admits concern over injuries but does not expect January reinforcements
Rodri and Oleksandr Zinchenko are the latest Manchester City players to suffer injuries
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pep Guardiola fears Manchester City's injury list could could prove their undoing this season.
The Premier League champions have had a number of fitness problems already this season with Rodri and Oleksandr Zinchenko becoming the latest casualties this week.
Midfielder Rodri is likely to be out for a month with a hamstring injury sustained in Tuesday's Champions League defeat of Atalanta. Left-back Zinchenko is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines after undergoing minor knee surgery.
They join long-term knee injury victims Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane in the treatment room.
John Stones is only just back in action after injury while Kevin De Bruyne, Nicolas Otamendi, Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker (illness) have all missed games this term.
Guardiola, whose side host Aston Villa on Saturday, said: "Some are muscular, others in the past were ligaments - (there are) not many we don't have. We are in a bad period in that sense.
"When I'm thinking after the international break - November, December, January, February - yes, I'm a little bit concerned because in a few positions we don't have enough players."
Despite potential shortages, Guardiola says the club have no plans to look to add to the squad in the January transfer window.
Even though certain areas may need strengthening, City want to look long term when buying and the winter market is not seen as ideal to do business in.
Guardiola said: "I think we are not going to buy. The club didn't introduce me to the players they thought could help us, so without that it's not going to happen.
"Our need is not just for six months, it's for a long time and the important players will not be sold. We are going to stay all the season, I think, with all the players we have right now."
In recent games, midfielders Rodri and Fernandinho have both played in defence and Guardiola expects he may have to move more players around before the end of the season.
He said: "I would prefer all the players had no injuries but I have to do it. We can't stop and complain, 'Oh what bad luck'.
"We have good players in the squad. In a few positions there are not many but we have incredibly good players. We're going with them."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments