Embattled Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed plans are in place to add new players to his squad in the January transfer window. The Spanish coach stressed that his players had asked him to recruit to help them in January.
Manchester City have been ravaged by injuries this campaign and appear unable to defend the Premier League title they have won four times in a row. The Cityzens lost Oscar Bobb this summer to a broken leg, followed by an ACL injury to 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. There have been several other injuries at different times this season, leaving Guardiola’s side threadbare.
Pep Guardiola revealed to Prime Video Sport ahead of his side face Everton in their opening Boxing Day clash that plans are underway to sign new players. The coach revealed that team members also asked him for new players to be added during the January transfer window.
“If we can, we need to add players in January…definitely! We had difficulty especially at the back, in the middle. I think even the players were wondering… are we going to add players?! Please!”.
Manchester City have been mostly inactive in terms of arrivals during the summer transfer window, signing only Ilkay Gundogan and Savinho. This is despite the sales of Julian Alvarez, Sergio Gomez, Joao Cancelo and a number of other youngsters.
Pep Guardiola’s side have lacked the depth that has made them such a force in the Premier League this season, leading to a dismal run of form. The Cityzens have won just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions, losing nine times during that run.
Pep Guardiola without quintet as Manchester City prepare for Everton test
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola once again found himself with a thin squad ahead of facing Everton in the Premier League. The Cityzens are without five senior players for the Boxing Day clash at the Etihad Stadium, with several youngsters named on the bench.
Goalkeeper Ederson, defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker, as well as midfielders Jack Grealish and Matheus Nunes are all noticeably missing from the matchday squad for the Cityzens. This group joins Ruben Dias, Rodri and Oscar Bobb, who were already sure to miss the match due to injury.
17-year-old academy goalkeeper Spike Brits is one of two keepers on the bench alongside Scott Carson, while Divin Mubama, Max Alleyne, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Nico O’Reilly are on the bench. Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and James McAtee are also among the champions’ replacements.
Edited by Sai Krishna
