Josko Gvardiol has already handed Pep Guardiola a major injury warning this season | OneFootball

Manchester City’s handling of Josko Gvardiol and the Croatia’s game-time brought about a serious injury warning earlier this season, Pep Guardiola has revealed.

The City boss has highlighted the growing physical demands on his players, using Gvardiol as an example of how quickly fatigue can set in for footballers competing at the top level across multiple competitions.

The Croatian defender, now in his third season at the Etihad Stadium, has become a fixture in Guardiola’s setup, often switching between central defence and left-back roles depending on tactical needs. Although it is that flexibility that has resulted in a punishing workload.

Since joining from RB Leipzig in a £77 million deal, Gvardiol has featured heavily for both club and country, including a busy run international fixtures of late and City’s extended run across domestic and global tournaments.

City’s cautious approach to workload and strain on players such as Gvardiol reflects a broader pattern under Pep Guardiola, as the club carefully rotates its options amid setbacks. John Stones has only recently returned to training after problems, while Gvardiol’s case reinforces a fine balance between availability and overexertion that Guardiola has spoken of often.

Quizzed during his pre-match press conference on the minutes being handed out to Josko Gvardiol by both City and Croatia, Guardiola accepted that there have been warning signs over exhaustion from the defender’s side, but backed his age to prevail.

“He’s young, his physicality, but we cannot forget that last season he was maybe one of the most important players in terms of playing, playing, playing, and playing, and with the problems we had,” Guardiola pointed out.

“And after that, he suffered it, in pre-season, or at the end of the season, the Club World Cup, at the beginning of the season had some problems with some injuries in the knees, and he’s now getting better,” he added.

Guardiola continued on the versatile player, “He’s so young, physicality is outstanding, he can play in two roles perfectly, but always we spoke together that – from my point of view – he has a big, big margin to improve as a player.

“But he’s incredibly perfectly coachable, he’s a top, top guy, and listens a lot, and wants to improve, and that will help him to be a better player. When one player at that age thinks, ‘What do you have to tell me? I know everything!’, then it’s difficult. And he’s completely the opposite.”

Pep Guardiola’s remarks underline the balancing act Manchester City face when managing their younger stars. Despite his physical resilience and adaptability, Josko Gvardiol’s schedule remains among the heaviest in the squad, and Guardiola’s warning may indicate an intention to ease his involvement over the coming weeks.

Looking ahead, Gvardiol’s ability to maintain fitness while continuing his development could determine how Guardiola structures his defensive plans moving forward. With Stones working back to full sharpness and Nathan Aké also providing cover on the left, City may use that depth to carefully rotate Gvardiol during the congested winter schedule.

The manager’s praise suggests that, despite recent concerns, the Croatian international remains central to his long-term vision, but will be protected accordingly as his importance increases with time.