Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has received a major blow regarding the expected duration of Josko Gvardiol’s absence from the pitch following his recent injury during the Premier League match against Chelsea.
City announced that the Croatian defender suffered a fracture in his right leg, but the English club has not yet specified a return date for Gvardiol.
According to Croatian media reports, Gvardiol’s season with Manchester City is over, and he will not be able to return until the end of May.
Now, Gvardiol is focused on one goal only: to be fit for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off in June. There are doubts that he may not be able to return before then.
Meanwhile, Manchester City has begun its search for a new defender this January to compensate for Gvardiol’s extended absence, with Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi topping the list of options being considered by Pep Guardiola.
The deal for Guehi remains complicated due to his club, as City are unwilling to pay a large sum for a player whose contract expires in six months, while Palace are initially demanding £50 million for an immediate transfer.
Manchester City currently sit second in the Premier League table with 42 points, six points behind leaders Arsenal.
