Manchester City are facing tough competition from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the Premier League title race and they have met with a major setback as the season is entering its decisive phase.
Two important players, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish, suffered injuries and are to spend some time on the sidelines which is likely to create difficulties for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Man City have won the last three PL titles and are on the road to creating history by becoming the first team to win four successive league titles.
However, with injuries to two key players and the form Liverpool is in, Guardiola’s troops are expected to face difficulties. Even though they will have two of their most important players, Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland, the absence of Silva and Grealish will be felt due to their creativity.
“Jack felt his groin. I didn’t speak to the doctor, but it looks muscular. He wanted to continue, but we can’t take any chances – and injuries like that usually take a few weeks,” Guardiola confirmed in a pre-match press conference against Chelsea.
The Spaniard then confirmed of the Portuguese’s injury. However, he didn’t know the full extent of it and wasn’t aware of the possible return date.
“Bernardo took a big knock on the ankle. Hopefully, it is not a big issue, but we will see,” Guardiola added.
Along with Grealish and Silva, Man City are also without £77 million defender, Josko Gvardiol, who replaced Aymeric Laporte in the summer 2023.
Gvardiol is also facing an ankle issue and he is likely to remain on the sidelines for another two to three weeks and Guardiola is aware of the challenge faced by the defending champions.
“Unfortunately, now with the schedule we have, we need players fit, and every game and training session we lose players, and that is not good,” Guardiola said.
