It started as a whisper, but it’s beginning to feel like a gut punch. The reports suggesting isn’t could be sidelined for four to five months are nothing short of devastating. While we’re still waiting on Pep or the club to make it official, the reality is sinking in: City’s most technically gifted defender is likely done for the season, and his World Cup dreams are hanging by a thread.
Losing Gvardiol isn’t just about losing a body; it’s a tactical nightmare. He’s the bridge between the defence and the midfield, arguably the most comfortable player on the ball in City’s backline. When you combine his absence with the current state of the squad, the word “crisis” doesn’t even begin to cover it.
A Backline on Life Support
Take a look at the remaining options, and it’s enough to give any City fan vertigo:
- John Stones:Still out, with no clear return date.
- Nathan Ake:Available, but his fitness is a constant gamble. The fans love him, but can he be trusted to stay fit until May? History says no.
- Ruben Dias:Limped off against Chelsea alongside Gvardiol. City fans are still holding their breath on his scan results.
That leaves Abdukodir Khusanov as the last man standing. It is absolutely no coincidence that the Marc Guehi rumours, backed by the likes of Fabrizio Romano, ramped up the second the scale of Gvardiol’s injury became clear. City aren’t just “interested” anymore; they are desperate.
🚨🔵 Manchester City want to sign Marc Guehi in January as talks started, initial approach made.
He’s on the shortlist, as @SamiMokbel_BBC reported.
Liverpool, attentive to the situation and in talks since August.
FC Bayern remain in active talks to sign Guehi as free agent. pic.twitter.com/Lw2XyZvikK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 5, 2026
The Homegrown Strategy
There’s a deeper layer here, too. Both Stones and Ake see their contracts expire in the summer of 2026. City is clearly looking at the “Homegrown” quota. Pursuing Guehi alongside Antoine Semenyo isn’t a fluke; it’s a calculated move to future-proof the squad with domestic talent.
However, Crystal Palace knows City are backed into a corner. After agreeing to a £35M fee with Liverpool last summer (which fell through), they are now demanding an “extraordinary” offer to let Guehi go this month.
Necessity Over Luxury
For years, the City’s depth was seen as an unfair advantage. Now, it’s a survival mechanism. Look at Arsenal- they lost Gabriel and Saliba for stretches but maintained the league’s best defensive record because their depth was nothing less than elite.
If City pulls the trigger on Guehi, the vision for next season becomes clear: a rotation of Dias, Gvardiol, Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Guehi. It’s a formidable five, but right now, it feels like the only way to keep the season from collapsing entirely.
