Pep Guardiola may face another significant injury blow, as reports suggest that Manchester City center-back Manuel Akanji is dealing with a serious issue.
The Swiss defender has had a challenging season with ongoing fitness problems, mirroring the struggles of City’s defensive line as a whole. Like many others, Akanji has found it difficult to maintain consistent form and appearances under Guardiola.
The City manager has repeatedly pointed to defensive injuries as a major factor in the club’s poor form during November and December, which severely impacted their Premier League campaign. At one stage, Guardiola was forced to field a team without a fully fit first-choice center-back, giving academy player Jahmai Simpson-Pusey a chance in the first team.
While there was hope that City’s defensive issues would improve in the latter half of the season, things took a turn for the worse following the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash.
Akanji Likely Out for the Season
According to trusted City source FPLMaineRoad on X, Akanji is expected to be sidelined for several months, likely missing the rest of the season. The 29-year-old picked up a muscular injury during the first half of City’s 3-2 home loss to Real Madrid, forcing him to be replaced by young full-back Rico Lewis, who took over his position and faced Vinícius Jr. from right-back.
Guardiola provided little insight into Akanji’s condition after the match, stating, “I don’t know yet.” When asked about both Akanji and Jack Grealish’s injuries, he added, “If they have gone out for muscular reasons, maybe they will not be there [for the second leg against Real Madrid next week].”
Opportunities for New Signings
With Akanji potentially out for the remainder of the season, City’s January signings may have the chance to step in, particularly Abdukodir Khusanov. The Uzbek international is considered a possible solution at right-back, a position that has been left vacant after former captain Kyle Walker’s loan move to AC Milan.
