One Manchester City midfielder can be deployed at centre-back amid injury crisis admits Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has named one member of his Manchester City midfield that could yet be deployed in the centre of his defence amid an ongoing injury crisis in the position.

City head into their midweek Premier League clash with Brighton facing unprecedented strain at the heart of their back line, following a damaging run of injuries that has significantly reduced Pep Guardiola’s options.

The Etihad Stadium outfit were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea at home on Sunday afternoon, in a match that further underlined both their resilience and their growing defensive vulnerability.

Josko Gvardiol was ruled out for several months after sustaining a tibial fracture that requires surgery, while Ruben Dias suffered a hamstring issue late against Chelsea. John Stones remains sidelined, and Nathan Aké’s availability continues to be carefully managed due to concerns around physical limitations.

Manchester City have reacted by recalling Max Alleyne from his loan spell at Watford, with the 20-year-old having impressed during a productive run in the Championship. However, Guardiola has also played down the likelihood of recalling other loanees such as Vitor Reis or Manuel Akanji, instead hinting that internal solutions.

Speaking during recent media duties, Guardiola has been quizzed on his options beyond Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov when managing the ongoing and potentially long-term injury absences of Stones, Gvardiol, and Dias.

“Well we have the academy, we have Max [Alleyne], we have Stephen [Mfuni], and we have Nico Gonzalez can end up in that position,” Guardiola pointed out.

The Manchester City manager continued, “We have some alternatives for these two months that is a lot, a lot of games.

“Champions League important games, and the Premier League of course obviously, the start of the [FA] cup and the other competitions, the situation that it’s happened.

“So yeah, it is what it is during the season, it happens. Do you know that? And you have to deal with that.”

Pep Guardiola’s comments suggest that Nico Gonzalez could be asked to provide emergency cover in defence, adding to the Catalan’s reputation for tactical flexibility in moments of crisis.

While the club continue to be loosely linked with a January move for Crystal Palace and England international defender Marc Guéhi, any immediate solution appears likely to come from within.

With Brighton, Exeter, Newcastle, Manchester United and Champions League fixtures looming, City’s ability to adapt – both structurally and mentally – may prove decisive in keeping their season on track despite the mounting injury challenges.