Guardiola: We have a big problem – five key players are out. But we can’t have 35 players at the club, we’d go bankrupt

Manchester City have been struggling with an unexpected problem right from the start of the new season, it’s not about any game situations or performances, it’s about injuries. The team has been plagued by injuries to key players right from the first phase of the season, which of course is not easy for Pep Guardiola to bear.

It all started in the opening round against Burnley, when Kevin de Bruyne had to be substituted during the first half after picking up a muscle injury. If you remember, the Belgian was also forced to substitute in the Champions League final against Inter due to injury.

So the Spanish strategist sent de Bruyne to the clash with Arsenal London only during the second half, specifically in the 64th minute. All indications were that the offensive midfielder would be fine and out of injury. However, during the 34th minute of the Premier League opener, the Belgian had to make a substitution and has not been on the pitch yet.

Another injured player is English stopper John Stones, who was one of the mainstays of the Citizens at the end of last season. He played the whole game against Burnley, then he was only on the bench in the European Super Cup against Sevilla and before the next game he was also out with a muscle injury. It was expected that he would be available for Saturday’s game against Nottingham.

Jack Grealish is also keeping the doctors busy with muscular problems. The Englishman has been unavailable since the Sheffield United game. However, his injury is keeping the doctors awake as it could be a knee related injury. The injury has not escaped new signing Mateo Kovacic either, who is being hamstrung by back pain for a change.

Unfortunately, Portugal’s Bernardo Silva was added to the already wide list of key players during Tuesday’s game, having to make a substitution during the first half. The club doctor is currently trying to figure out what the injury is from various examinations. However, it is certain that he will miss this weekend’s game.

Pep Guardiola was not so happy after the Champions League game at the press conference, ” I haven’t spoken to the doctors yet, but it looks like Bernardo will not be able to start the next game.”

” We have a big problem – five key players are out. It’s going to be difficult to go on without them for such a long time, but we can’t have 35 players at the club, we’d go bankrupt.”

“Unfortunately Kevin’s injury is for a longer period, John hasn’t played, Jack has a week or 10 days left, maybe Kovacic will come back. That’s just the way it is. I prefer to use everybody and with the players we have at the club I’m going to go for it,” Guardiola added, writing off any hopes of any of the injured players besides Kovacic returning to the roster for the next game.

Source: Premier League, Manchester City