Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has received a significant setback with the news that one of his key players, John Stones, will be out of action for an extended period due to injury. This development comes as a major blow to Guardiola and the club, as Stones has been a crucial part of the team’s defensive setup. The injury, which occurred in the past few days, has raised concerns regarding the defender’s availability for the upcoming fixtures.
The injury is believed to be serious enough to sideline Stones for an extended period, with reports indicating that he could be absent for as long as two and a half months. However, in comments shared by journalist Fabrizio Romano on the platform "X," Guardiola clarified that Stones will not require surgery to address the issue. Specifically, the injury is to the defender’s thigh, which is a critical area for a player of his position. Despite the severity of the injury, Guardiola remained optimistic, stating that Stones would not need an operation and would instead focus on rehabilitation. Romano further noted that Stones is expected to be out for between 8 to 10 weeks before he can make a return to competitive action on the pitch.
While this news is undoubtedly disappointing for both Guardiola and the team, it also serves as a reminder of the challenges that can arise throughout the course of a long season. In light of this injury and other potential challenges ahead, Guardiola has emphasized the need for Manchester City to bolster their squad. He was very clear in expressing that his team needs to bring in new signings to maintain their competitiveness throughout the season.
Guardiola explained, “Of course, we need to sign players. I believe Manchester City must bring in players, but at the same time, we need to retain the players we have as much as possible.” He emphasized the importance of squad depth, particularly with the looming challenge of the FIFA Club World Cup, which could require additional strength and options. Guardiola concluded by stating that he feels the team requires a slightly bigger squad to cope with the demands of multiple competitions.
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