Manchester City may not need to sign any new players come the opening of the January transfer window, Pep Guardiola has pointed out.
The Premier League champions are facing an increasingly challenging period in their season with injuries mounting within Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad and worsened by a trio of concerns during the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday night.
After Manuel Akanji had withdrawn from the starting line-up with a groin issue, replaced by Ruben Dias ahead of kick-off, Savinho would follow and be replaced in the second-half with a heavy knock to the ankle, forcing an exit with the aid of a stretcher.
Josko Gvardiol was later spotted receiving treatment on the field after the full-time whistle, with uncertainty over the nature of the issue, whilst Pep Guardiola said after the game that Ruben Dias had also been suffering from fitness niggles in recent matches.
There had previously been calls from some sections of Manchester City’s support to recruit during the January market in light of Rodri’s long-term injury, with the Ballon d’Or winner ruled out until next summer.
And now speaking to the media ahead of City’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth this weekend, Guardiola has been asked whether the ongoing injury crisis leads to an increased demand for recruitment in the winter transfer market.
“No because maybe in January we’ll have all of the whole squad fit, except Rodri,” Guardiola said. “And maybe I would say Oscar (Bobb) will be in the last stages (of recovery).”
The Manchester City manager continued, “Maybe we are all together, and when we are all together, the squad is enough; it’s complete, it’s nice, it’s top, and everybody is completely focussed and fit.”
The 53-year-old pointed out the struggles of title challengers Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp as he said, “I remember in the past one year, or two years ago, or three years ago – I don’t remember – Liverpool had a lot, a lot, a lot of injuries, a lot.
“And they struggled, but it is what it is. We have to adapt and focus on winning tomorrow.”
The visit to Bournemouth on the south coast this weekend is the second of four consecutive away fixtures for Manchester City, and is part of three visits to the south of England after the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in midweek.
Manchester City will travel to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon next week for matchday four of the UEFA Champions League hoping to strengthen their grasp on the top-eight places of the table, before returning to Premier League action with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.
