‘Very difficult’ – Guardiola says ‘sensational’ Man City star could be out for several weeks

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has shared a worrying injury update involving star defender Aymeric Laporte.

The ‘sensational’ 28-year-old has not played since the last game of last season, when City beat Aston Villa to clinch the title.

The Sky Blues have had to cope with some injury issues as well, with Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips and Laporte all missing their fair share of matches so far.

Speaking to the media before City’s trip to Villa Park on Saturday, Guardiola shared a worrying update on the Spain defender

Indeed, the 51-year-old warned supporters that they may have to wait several weeks for Laporte’s return to action, coming after surgery on his knee.

The City manager stated (via BBC): “Aymeric is still a month or a month and a half away. He had a surgery on the bone. We will not push him. Knee injuries can be very difficult.

“We had four incredible central defenders before Manu, but sometimes Ayme had tough injuries.”

City’s deadline day signing of defender Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund appears a very smart piece of business amid this news.

The news was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

“Get well soon AL 💙”
Credit: @citizen_1k

“Kinda glad we’re not rushing him tbh, considering he played injured at the end of last season”
Credit: @NettyCiteh

“Don’t rush him please”
Credit: @nwanneka_omeche

“Too bad. Speedy recovery”
Credit: @Ajinaab_Imma

“Good that we don’t have to rush him now we’ve brought akanji in, smart signing”
Credit: @Ajt2995

“Good thing we signed Akanji to cover him”
Credit: @NicholasLeow4

Manchester City signed Akanji, 27, on a five-year deal on Thursday.

Guardiola said: “We had an opportunity to bring in one player, with only a year left on his contract in Dortmund, with a lot of experience in Germany and the national team with Switzerland.

“He suits perfectly what we need. He’s fast and really good in the build-up.

“We knew it, we felt it, when we played against Dortmund two or three seasons ago and, yes, we’re very pleased he’s here. It’s good competition for the central defenders.”