Pep’s injury problem and why Manchester City have to win

With John Stones out for up to six weeks Manchester City’s perfect record could be in danger, but Pep Guardiola won’t accept anything less than victory.

Injuries are part of football, it’s just a fact. Even FIFA, in an age when playing video games is considered a sport, has them in abundance with a handy slider taking you from miraculous “never out for more than a week” players to the Gareth Bale brand of footballer. Of course, the former is every bit as realistic in many ways as the latter. Look at Chelsea last season, a remarkable canter to the Premier League title almost certainly assisted by fielding their strongest squad week-in, week-out.

For Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, things are, as you would expect, not to be so easy. With Chelsea’s vastly less imposing schedule, having missed out on Europe entirely, it was somewhat understandable how it all managed to fit so easily into place as their rivals struggled through arduous mid-week trips across various international destinations. As for City, well there’s no such luck this time. The Champions League beckons and it’s calling Pep tonight already.

One could argue that, perhaps now they’ve already qualified for the next round, Guardiola and City can play this one a bit easier. Throw out a weakened side, play a bunch of youngsters, drop both Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva entirely, and ultimately disregard the result come what may. I don’t think this will happen. Indeed, Pep knows that much of City’s good form lately is on momentum. Winning has been the key to unlocking doors almost impossibly shut for them in the past, the flow makes them look unbeatable, imperious, unstoppable, destined for glory.

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So you see, contrary to what many, including former City defender Martin Demichelis, have speculated, losing John Stones for even a single game, let alone 6 weeks, is a massive blow to the Blues. Yes, squad depth. It’s certainly an asset that Pep can point to moreso than perhaps any of his peers. That doesn’t necessarily extend to the defence however.

Take a look at left back and suddenly you see Fabian Delph already covering the position, a position he has never played in his career. Certainly, he’s playing very well, but were it not for his solid performances papering over the cracks then more would be wondering how Guardiola actually hopes to continue this way. Last season, Jesus Navas at right back brought similar questions. This season not much has changed in that, while City brought in a treasure trove of new signings including a new-look back line, they had precious little insurance in case of injury.

No doubt losing Benjamin Mendy was a massive blow to Pep, though perhaps more expected, but Stones’ untimely exit presents new issues beyond even losing arguably the best centre-back in the league on current form. Pickings are thin for replacements, Guardiola’s suggestion of potentially Fernandinho for the role raised a few eyebrows, and fixtures continue to pile up. All of which City will have no choice but to go out to win, if the momentum is to be continued.

One glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel is the January transfer window, but only a glimmer mind you. Little business of any tremendous magnitude is ever done in January, outside of clubs offloading players in the final year of their contracts. Now it just so happens one of these players who could be given the heave-ho is Alexis Sanchez, one of the best forwards in the League, but even should City make their move as expected that does little to help when they have a glut of attacking players as is.

Manchester City have looked unstoppable, a level above the rest, so far, but that only holds so long as it’s actually City out there on the field. Enough Eliaquim Mangalas and it’s a makeshift side that will struggle when it’s weaknesses are put to the test. An 8 point cushion at the top of the pack is certainly quite comfortable, but it could all too easily evaporate should the wheels start to come off the Guardiola machine.

It’s up to Guardiola himself to change the dynamic. If a traditional four at the back is no longer viable, then three it must be regardless of how ineffective it became last season. It’s not so much who Pep decides to play, but how he plays them that will be key. For example, how about two deeper lying playmakers instead of just one? Throw Ilkay Gundogan on next to Fernandinho and give Nicolas Otamendi a bit more breathing room so he doesn’t go off on those mad, bull-like, charges so often.

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Regardless, injuries may well be part of the game, but for the first time this season Pep’s side look more human. For this reason, perhaps more than anything else, nothing short of a resounding victory will be acceptable tonight.