Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed a severe defensive injury crisis at the club, with key defenders Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol facing significant spells on the sidelines. The news comes as a major blow to City's Premier League title ambitions.
Guardiola Confirms Double Injury Blow
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, 6th January 2026, ahead of City's home match against Brighton, Guardiola delivered the grim update. Ruben Dias has suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for between four and six weeks. This is a critical loss for the heart of City's defence.
The situation is even more concerning for Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol. The club announced on Monday that he sustained a tibial fracture in his right leg during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. Guardiola stated Gvardiol would be out for "a long time" and did not provide a specific timeline for his return.
Defensive Options Severely Depleted
The injury woes do not end with Dias and Gvardiol. Guardiola also confirmed that England international John Stones remains unavailable. "He is not ready for the next games," Guardiola said, expressing frustration over Stones's recurring fitness issues.
To compound the crisis, left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is away representing Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, Nathan Ake, who has battled his own fitness problems in recent seasons, is not considered a regular starting option by the manager at this time.
The absentee list extends beyond the defence. The club is also without attackers Savinho and Omar Marmoush, and midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Oscar Bobb due to a combination of injuries and international duty.
January Transfer Window Response Likely
Faced with this unprecedented shortage, Guardiola hinted that the club may be forced to act in the January transfer window to secure reinforcements. "Maybe we'll get something," he admitted, though he tempered expectations by adding, "We are not going to buy four or five players like last season."
Reports from outlets like Sky Sports suggest Crystal Palace's centre-back Marc Guehi is a player of interest to City's recruitment team. In a further attacking move, Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo is reportedly set for a medical on Thursday ahead of a potential £65 million transfer.
Despite the challenges, Guardiola tried to rally spirits, expressing confidence in the squad's resilience. "With the spirit that we have, we can always cope," he stated. However, with City trailing league leaders Arsenal by six points, the need for immediate solutions is pressing. The coming weeks will test the depth and character of the reigning champions as they navigate this defensive emergency.
