Manchester City have enjoyed a flawless start to the new Premier League season, winning all four of their matches and occupying the top spot on the table before the international break.
Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Burnley, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, and Fulham, signalling their intention to establish a strong foundation to defend their Premier League title. It’s fair to say that the majority of their supporters anticipated this strong start and the Sky Blues have delivered. However, the Etihad club are facing an injury crisis at the moment with four key players sidelined before the clash against West Ham on Saturday, according to Manchester Evening News.
Injured Manchester City Players
Jack Grealish’s Injury Update: Thigh
Grealish suffered his thigh injury before the match against Fulham just before the international break. Despite initially being included in the England camp, he was later withdrawn after a thorough assessment at St George’s Park. The winger is expected to return in the clash against West Ham.
Kevin De Bruyne’s Injury Blow: Hamstring
When asked on the possibility of De Bruyne returning to full fitness, Guardiola has said, “It’s a significant injury, and he’ll be sidelined for several months. This injury is a major setback and a substantial loss for us because he possesses unique qualities. It’s going to be a challenging period for us for quite some time. However, we must remain optimistic and focus on the future. While Kevin is irreplaceable, we have skilled players who can step up. They will need to fill the void.”
John Stones’ Injury Update: Muscular
Stones is possibly the only one who is on the verge of recovering and might return to full fitness in the clash against the Hammers.
Mateo Kovacic Injury Worry: Back Problem
Another City’s midfielder, Mateo Kovacic, is expected to be sidelined due to a suspected back injury. The Croatian player has been absent from his national side’s last two matches. This presents a challenging situation for Guardiola, with two crucial midfielders now unavailable.
Can Manchester City Continue Their Winning Streak?
With two key midfielders out of contention, Guardiola would have to rely on the available talent in his squad and one such talent would be Kalvin Phillips. The English midfielder is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League and an opportunity might have presented itself in a dire situation.
However, other players like Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez are capable of playing in the middle although with an attacking mindset. Guardiola could also rely on John Stones to man the defensive midfield role should he recover in time. But the current situation presses on a bigger problem at the Etihad club, which is the need for reinforcements in the midfield department in the next transfer window.
