Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola confirmed injury crisis, stating that his side will again have to cope without a significant number of first-team players as they prepare for their Premier League meeting with West Ham.
The Sky Blues’ injury problems have continued to stretch their squad, forcing Guardiola to depend on younger players and recent signings while hoping that reinforcements will return before the busy festive period comes to an end.
City’s situation worsened in midweek when Oscar Bobb was added to an already lengthy list of absentees. The winger picked up a hamstring injury during the League Cup victory over Brentford, ruling him out of contention for the weekend.
Guardiola confirmed injury crisis, admitted that the number of players unavailable remains unchanged and that no immediate returns are expected.
Injury list grows as Guardiola turns to youth
Bobb now joins John Stones, Rodri, Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku on the sidelines, with none of them expected to be fit in time for the clash against West Ham.
On top of the injury setbacks, City will also be without Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri, who have departed to represent their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations. Their absence further limits Guardiola’s options, particularly in wide areas and defence.
The Manchester City manager acknowledged that the situation is far from ideal but stressed that the club must adapt. He revealed that he is not anticipating any surprise returns for the upcoming fixture, meaning the squad could once again include several academy players.
Divine Mukasa, Stephen Mfuni and Charlie Gray are all in contention to be involved, having already been given opportunities earlier this season.
Mukasa, in particular, has become a familiar face in recent weeks. The young midfielder made his third start of the campaign against Brentford, demonstrating Guardiola’s willingness to trust youth when required.
Charlie Gray also enjoyed a memorable moment, coming off the bench to make his senior debut. Their involvement underlines how injuries and absences have opened the door for academy prospects to gain valuable experience at the highest level.
Despite that Guardiola confirmed injury crisis, he also suggested that there may be some positive news on the horizon. He hinted that a handful of senior players could return after Christmas, potentially strengthening the squad for matches against Nottingham Forest and Sunderland.
However, he was clear that the West Ham game would come too soon for those currently recovering.
“We have a game tomorrow and after have five days before Nottingham and Sunderland,” he said, according to MEN. “Maybe a few of them will start to be back but not for tomorrow.”
The comment reflects Guardiola’s cautious approach when it comes to player fitness, prioritising long-term availability over rushing individuals back too soon. With a demanding schedule and multiple competitions still in play, City are keen to avoid further setbacks.
Nico Gonzalez steps up as City chase title rivals
One of the most notable consequences of City’s injury list has been the increased responsibility placed on January signing Nico Gonzalez.
With both Rodri and Mateo Kovacic unavailable, Guardiola has leaned heavily on the Spaniard to provide stability in midfield. Gonzalez has responded by starting game after game, underlining his importance during a testing period for the champions.
The match against Brentford marked Gonzalez’s 12th consecutive start, a remarkable run that highlights both his durability and the lack of alternatives in his position.
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Guardiola appears set to rely on him once again as City attempt to keep pace with Arsenal in a tightly contested Premier League title race.
The City boss was quick to praise the midfielder’s contribution, emphasising how crucial he has been in maintaining City’s competitiveness despite the absence of key players. He also acknowledged that while Gonzalez is still developing, his performances have exceeded expectations given the circumstances.
“The position we are in right now would not have been possible without him. Without Rodri and Kovacic, we don’t have a proper replacement but he recovers well, he is young and like with Rayan [Cherki] he has a margin to improve and getting better, especially with the ball and we are working on it.”
The manager’s words reflect both gratitude and belief in Gonzalez’s potential. While he may not yet be the finished product, Guardiola sees him as a player capable of growing into the role, particularly as he gains more experience at the top level.
City’s injury troubles have inevitably raised questions about squad depth and resilience, but Guardiola has consistently highlighted the collective effort required to navigate such periods.