Manchester City faces a formidable challenge this season as injuries continue to plague their squad. Under the increasingly demanding Premier League schedule, manager Pep Guardiola has suggested that expanding team rosters to 40 players might be necessary to meet the rigorous demands. However, Guardiola warns that such an expansion could drive clubs towards financial ruin. Manchester City, along with rivals Tottenham and Arsenal, are grappling with a string of injuries that highlight the growing pressures of the current football calendar.
The Premier League's relentless pace has seen teams playing an unprecedented number of games, pushing athletes to their limits. Kevin De Bruyne, a key player for Manchester City, exemplifies this strain as he struggles to cope with playing every three days over the past eight or nine years. Guardiola notes that the frequency of matches makes it exceedingly difficult for teams to maintain consistency and achieve record-breaking point totals.
The UEFA Nations League and FIFA Club World Cup have exacerbated the already congested schedule, leaving teams like Manchester City vulnerable to injury setbacks. Manuel Akanji's recent rupture of his abductor has sidelined him for up to 10 weeks following a Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Additionally, Kai Havertz's season-ending hamstring injury and Rodri's anterior cruciate knee ligament rupture in September underscore the physical toll on players.
Guardiola candidly shared his thoughts on the situation:
"I always expect injuries during the season. Not as much as we've had, but it's not just a problem for Man City." – Pep Guardiola
He emphasizes that the issue extends beyond his team, affecting clubs across the league.
Despite these challenges, Guardiola maintains an optimistic perspective:
"Cry? Complain? No. It is what it is. We are not good enough." – Pep Guardiola
However, he also acknowledges the difficulty in replicating Manchester City's past successes under current conditions:
"What we did in the past is not repeatable. It will be so difficult to be that consistent for many, many years and now we realise that. I could expect a drop, but not as much as now." – Pep Guardiola
Manchester City's struggle to maintain their high standards stems from both internal and external pressures. The Carabao Cup persists as part of the fixture list, yet Guardiola remains uncertain about the squad he can field for such competitions. He rules out reducing the number of clubs in the Premier League as a viable solution.
The manager stresses collaboration between coaches and governing bodies to address the root cause of player injuries:
"I think Jurgen Klopp and myself have said it in the past. It is the calendar. I don't see another reason why there are a lot of injuries." – Pep Guardiola
Guardiola's comments reflect a broader concern shared by many within the football community about the sustainability of the current schedule. While expanding squads could theoretically alleviate some pressures, it introduces significant financial implications that clubs may not be able to withstand. He warns:
"It's not an argument to defend what we have done in the last three months. Many things happened. But it puts it in perspective." – Pep Guardiola
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