Manchester City face a new problem not experienced in nine years says Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff face an unprecedented problem at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City battle an ever-growing injury list.

The Premier League champions face the prospect of having just 11 fully-fit outfield first-team players available for selection when they travel to Bournemouth in the English top-flight on Saturday afternoon.

That comes after Guardiola’s squad was hit with a further three concerns during the 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday, with Manuel Akanji withdrawn prior to kick-off, Savinho brought off on a stretcher, and Josko Gvardiol receiving post full-time treatment.

A further three issues could take Manchester City’s potential absent list to nine first-team players when they take on Bournemouth this weekend, including long-term problems picked up by Oscar Bobb and Rodri earlier in the season.

Speaking to reporters after the contest against Tottenham in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, Pep Guardiola told reporters that the growing injury list is a problem that he has not faced in his nine seasons to date at the club.

“We are 13 players (fit and available), we are in real difficulties, but we have to make the effort in the last week because the guys who played and finished most of them with problems, we will see how is their recovery,” said Guardiola.

“But I think when we are in trouble, like we are because in nine years we’ve never been in the situation with many, many injuries for many reasons, in these situations the players they make a step forward, they are more together than ever, and we will try to do this week in this short time of recovery.”

The 53-year-old looked forward to the moment when Manchester City will return to their full strength, insisting that he will reflect on this time of challenge with great fondness and love for those who have fought to keep the club in contention for major honours.

“All of us, playing in the national teams, and recovery, and it’s been getting more difficult, game by game,” he continued. “But maybe one day we will arrive and be all together.

“So that’s why the guys who are here, making an effort to be with us, fighting to be with us, playing with pain and focus and living 24 hours for us – these guys I will not forget it!”

Pep Guardiola continued by insisting that there is another cohort of young Manchester City players who can be called upon over the coming games, as he said, “We have an Academy and if seniors cannot be there, we are going to do it, and we are going to Bournemouth to compete!”

As part of his post-match press conference in North London, Pep Guardiola also confirmed that all of Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, and Jack Grealish were unlikely to feature for Manchester City until at least after the November international break.

Following the meeting with Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, Manchester City will travel to Lisbon to take on Ruben Amorim’s Sporting in the UEFA Champions League, before visiting Brighton & Hove Albion in the English top-flight.