Manchester City will be without a midfielder for a significant period of time | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola confirmed after Manchester City beat Bournemouth 3-1 on Sunday that Mateo Kovacic is set to be out of action for a significant period of time due to a heel injury. It is a blow for City to lose Kovacic, given the experience and quality he provides to Pep Guardiola’s squad. Pep Guardiola didn’t give a timeline on how long the Croatian international will be sidelined for. A new report indicates that Kovacic could be out of action for up to four months. The news comes as a blow for Kovacic, who hasn’t gotten into the 25/26 season due to injury.

Manchester City will reportedly be without Mateo Kovacic for several months.

CityXtra has relayed a report from Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti that Mateo Kovacic is set to be sidelined until February or March. Furthermore, it is reported that Kovacic has experienced new pain in the heel area after having surgery on an Achilles issue at the end of last season. The Croatian midfielder has travelled to London for an MRI scan to determine what is causing the pain in his heel. The results of the scans performed in London reveal that Kovacic is suffering from calcification in his heel, which has caused pain and inflammation. It is also reported that Mateo Kovacic is set to undergo surgery to fix the issue, which will see him sidelined for up to four months.

Rico Lewis could be the beneficiary of the injury suffered by Mateo Kovacic.

Mateo Kovacic has so far endured a frustrating 25/26 season. He has only played a total 37 minutes so far this season. He underwent Achilles surgery at the end of last season which delayed his start to this season. Now he faces another significant period on the sidelines. While it is a blow for Manchester City to lose the Croatian international for a substantial period of time, his misfortune may provide an opportunity for Rico Lewis to play in midfield more often.

Rico Lewis has always appeared destined to play in midfield. He has served his time at right-back, but he is a midfielder. There haven’t been many opportunities for Lewis to cement himself as a midfielder in Pep Guardiola’s squad. One may have arisen given the length of time Mateo Kovacic will be sidelined for. Lewis could step into the Kovacic role in Pep Guardiola’s squad and that may be the blessing in the situation surrounding Mateo Kovacic.

Mateo Kovacic is set for a significant time off the pitch due to his fresh injury setback. The hope is that he can return during the latter stages of this season to play an important role for his team when the stakes are at their highest late in the season.