Manchester City have suffered a major injury blow, with Aymeric Laporte set to be out of action until September at the very least.
The Spaniard missed out on the end of the last season due to a knee injury as City claimed their fourth league title in five years.
Laporte has to undergo surgery during the summer and did not join up with his teammates in City’s recent United States tour. Manchester City will kickstart their campaign against Liverpool in the Community Shield.
“Laporte is injured. He had knee surgery after last season, played the last two or three games with an important injury and made an incredible effort,” Guardiola said.
“So far he is doing really well but you have to be careful with a knee. I think he will be out for August, September I think maybe he will start to be with us.”
Laporte will now miss the Community Shield against Liverpool and will also be ruled out against West Ham, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, with City’s Premier League campaign kickstarting against Aston Villa.
John Stones also missed the US trip, with Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias having played against Bayern Munich in the club’s final friendly.
Laporte gives Guardiola a minor potential headache
Nathan Ake is the likely name that could fill in at left-back for Manchester City, should they fail in their attempt for Brighton’s Marc Cucurella, after Oleksandr Zinchenko departed for Arsenal.
In the latest turn of events, Cucurella has now handed in a transfer request as he plans to force a move through to the Premier League champions. It comes after City’s unwillingness to match Brighton’s £50million asking price.
“He is a Brighton player, I cannot say anything else,’ Guardiola added. ‘If a left back is possible yes if not we stay with what we have. We have enough players who can play there, Joao can play there. Nathan, Josh [Wilson-Esbrand]. I never complain about the squad I have.”
Guardiola also sent his well-wishes to Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterking, who both completed summer moves to Arsenal and Chelsea respectively.
“If you analyse what happened in the last years, without these important players [it] would be difficult to imagine. The influence on and off the pitch,” Guardiola added.
“Today in world football this situation happens. We wish them the best. The right people, I feel they settle quickly, they are accepted and down to earth, humble people.
“Tomorrow we try for the first title, it’s an honour to be here, it’s a big success to be there.”
Laporte’s injury will come as a major blow for Guardiola but that is not expected to stop City’s tag as Premier League favourites for the 2022/23 season.
