This season, the Cityzens have yet to hit the heights they know they are capable of reaching. The trademark relentlessness that saw Pep Guardiola’s side crowned kings of England four times in a row has been noticeably absent, and as a result, the title race – now led by Arsenal under Guardiola’s former protégé, Mikel Arteta – has become increasingly complicated for the Manchester City boss.
That challenge has been intensified by fresh Manchester City injury news, which has delivered another setback just at the beginning of the second half of the season. Reports have confirmed a major blow to City’s defensive ranks, dampening the mood among supporters ahead of a demanding January schedule. Guardiola will be without two of his most experienced defenders, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Gvardiol is set for surgery after suffering a broken shinbone in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea and is expected to be sidelined for an extended period. Dias, meanwhile, has been ruled out for up to six weeks after picking up a hamstring injury in the same match.
With this latest Manchester City injury news dominating the headlines, Guardiola has hinted that reinforcements could arrive in the January transfer window, acknowledging the growing shortage of options at the back.
The duo have emerged as Guardiola’s preferred centre-back partnership, starting together in 10 of City’s 20 Premier League matches this season. Both are integral to the way Pep structures his side, and in the weeks ahead, how the Manchester City boss adapts his setup in their absence could prove decisive in determining whether City have the tools to reel in Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
Two Aspects That Could Decide City’s Title Chase
Defensive Stability and Rotation
With Ruben Dias, Gvardiol, John Stones (injured) and Ait Nouri (AFCON duty) all out, Guardiola is facing a defensive crisis. City’s available options are limited to Nathan Ake, Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly, Khusanov and Rico Lewis.
As things stand, the most likely centre-back pairing appears to be Ake – himself still recovering from fitness issues – and Khusanov, whose league appearances have mostly come as a substitute, but has featured largely in cup competitions.
This lack of depth in the heart of the defence makes it imperative for City to secure a quality short-term defensive solution before the return of their senior centre-backs. While academy defender, Max Alleyne, has been recalled from Watford, throwing the young Englishman into the starting eleven with a title chase on the line would represent a significant gamble given his inexperience.
Eight points behind Arsenal is already a lot. Falling further behind in the title race is a huge risk they can’t afford.
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Finding the Right Balance in Attack
With Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City already a done deal, Guardiola’s attack has been further strengthened by the arrival of the Ghanaian forward, who already has nine league goals to his name. City are not short of attacking options, but if they are to stand any chance of closing the gap on Arsenal, it is vital that Pep prioritises his most ruthless finishers.
With Cherki, Foden and Doku all in form, significantly altering a system that is clearly working may prove counterproductive. Their current attack is already the most prolific in the league, having scored 44 goals – with Haaland, who broke Alan Shearer’s 30-year record by becoming the fastest player to score 100 League goals – leading the EPL top goalscorers chart with 19.
Guardiola’s challenge will be to fine-tune efficiency rather than overhaul a forward line that is delivering consistently.
Manchester City Injury News
How Long Will the Crisis Last?
City currently have seven players sidelined due to injuries. The crisis is set to last for at least two months, likely encompassing five to eight pivotal matches across all competitions. In attack, Oscar Bobb and Savinho remain unavailable, while in midfield, Nico Gonzalez is sidelined alongside Mateo Kovacic, who has not featured since suffering a recurring ankle injury and is not expected back until early February.
With the January transfer window now open, and with the Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City move now complete, Pep Guardiola’s side remain keen to address their growing defensive concerns. High on City’s shortlist is Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, a player who has long been linked with a move to clubs around Europe.
Should City succeed in landing the defender, it would represent a significant coup. The strong England international offers composure and intelligence both on and off the ball, combining strong positional awareness with excellent distribution from the back.
Beyond his technical qualities, Guehi’s leadership and Premier League experience would provide much-needed stability to a depleted City back line as they look to stay competitive on multiple fronts in the second half of the season.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Visionhaus
Recording Date: 04.01.2026
