Four Manchester City players close in on one-match Premier League suspension | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola is on the verge of seeing several members of his Manchester City squad move to within one yellow card of a one-game Premier League suspension.

With the festive fixture schedule approaching and pressure intensifying across competitions, Manchester City are entering a phase in which discipline becomes just as crucial as performance.

Guardiola’s side has already shown signs of strain in recent outings, and any enforced absences could further complicate the manager’s squad rotation plans. The Premier League’s yellow card accumulation rules dictate players reaching five bookings before the 19th fixture will serve a one-match ban, meaning the next seven games carry real jeopardy.

Manchester City have dealt with such tightropes in previous seasons, but the current situation comes at a time when squad depth is being tested through injuries, rotation demands, and inconsistency in standard of performance.

With City’s midfield particularly stretched through injuries to Mateo Kovacic and Rodri, caution will be required though Guardiola has often insisted players must continue to play naturally without fear of tactical hesitation.

Still, as many as four members of Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad are just two yellow cards away from a one-match suspension – with seven games remaining in the current sanction period.

In defensive areas of the pitch, Gianluigi Donnarumma has already picked up three yellow cards during his nine Premier League appearances so far this season, putting him in danger of a suspension in the coming weeks.

The other three names also on three yellow cards so far this Premier League season are a midfield trio of Nico Gonzalez, Bernardo Silva, and Phil Foden – all of whom are imperative to Pep Guardiola’s current go-to starting line-up.

If bookings continue to accumulate, Pep Guardiola may be forced to plan for potential short-term absences, particularly in midfield where rhythm and chemistry are central to Manchester City’s style.

The looming risk over Foden and Silva is especially significant, given both have been near ever-presents in crucial fixtures this season. Any absence for Donnarumma would also hand James Trafford a now-rare opportunity – something the England international will be internally desiring, but perhaps not necessarily in these circumstances.

Manchester City’s next run of fixtures will likely dictate how cautiously each of the four approaches their game in the coming weeks. High-intensity match-ups could increase the likelihood of further cards, meaning squad planning may become even more strategic.

If all four can navigate the next seven games without further bookings, the threat passes but if not, Pep Guardiola may be forced into unexpected changes during a pivotal point in the campaign.