Guardiola on the future of three Man City defenders amid injury troubles | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has answered on the futures of John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Vitor Reis amidst injury troubles.

Stones remains sidelined with injury and with his contract set to expire this summer, his boss has suggested that his time at the Etihad is now approaching its end.

“I think what happened in the last two seasons will define the decision at the end of the season,” Guardiola asserted on Stones’ contract.

The central defender has spent the last decade with City, winning every major honour available. The 31-year-old was named in the FIFA World XI in 2023 but has been plagued with injury problems since then.

The England international made just six league starts last campaign and has only managed four so far this term. He has been sidelined for the past month and his boss does not know when he will return. On a possible return date, the Catalan said: “Right now, I don’t know. I would like to know the answer, but I don’t know.

“He didn’t train with us. There are a few players who after one or two training sessions can play. Other ones need a little bit longer, and John is one of those cases.”

Asked whether Stones will be available for the World Cup, City’s boss replied: “You should talk with Thomas Tuchel about that.”

It has now been confirmed that both Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias will spend time out, after suffering a broken leg and hamstring injury, respectively. With Stones remaining unavailable and Nathan Ake, one of only two fit central defenders, needing his minutes carefully managed, City are now seriously short-staffed at the back.

Manuel Akanji is still under contract at the Etihad but joined Inter Milan on loan last summer. With the Italian side close to triggering a clause to sign the Swiss defender permanently, his City career seems to be over. Asked if they would consider recalling him, Guardiola definitively answered: “No.”

Vitor Reis is another centre-back playing his football away from Manchester this season. The young Brazilian is on loan at Girona, but a recall for him is also unlikely.

“I don’t think so. He’s playing really good there and they need him there.”

The Blues have already recalled one central defender from a loan spell though, to help ease their problems. Max Alleyne came through City’s academy and has been named on the bench in both the Premier League and the Champions League, but is yet to make his debut for the first-team.

The 20-year-old has impressed with Watford so far this season, and has now been ordered back to the Etihad.

“So, this is why academy is here. And sometimes I regret in the past not giving more minutes to them. So, let’s go.

“The young players never disappoint you. Young players, always they are there. They are incredibly focused.

“I don’t have any doubts about it. Max, for example, will respond. We saw how he grew up in Watford. And he is ready to help us this time.

“We have some alternatives for these two months.

“We’ll be creative. We’ll find some solutions.”