Manchester City announced on the 5th that defender Joško Gvardiol (23) has been diagnosed with a fracture of the right tibia and is set to undergo surgery.
The Croatian international was forced off in the 1–1 draw against Chelsea on the 4th, and his absence is a brutal blow for City as they chase down the title.
Gvardiol’s Condition and Return Outlook
A tibia fracture is no joke, and at this stage his involvement for the remainder of the season looks extremely unlikely.
Expected return: Recovery from a tibia fracture typically takes 4–6 months. Even in the most optimistic scenario, a return would only come in May during the final stretch of the season. Worst case? Season over — and there are already concerns about his availability for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the summer.
Defensive collapse: City are already without John Stones (hamstring), and Rúben Dias was also forced off with a muscle issue against Chelsea. With multiple first-choice centre-backs sidelined, this is shaping up to be the worst defensive crisis of Pep Guardiola’s City era.
Emergency Reinforcements — City Plot “Hijack” for Marc Guehi
With the situation worsening, City are reportedly moving decisively for Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi (25).
Targeting Palace’s captain: Guehi’s contract expires in the summer of 2026, making a winter move increasingly realistic. Liverpool and Bayern have been tracking him, but City are prepared to outbid rivals and effectively “steal” the deal.
Negotiation status: According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, contact between clubs has already begun. Palace were initially reluctant to sell, but Manchester United — fresh off sacking Amorim — have now entered the race, turning this into a full-blown bidding war.
Local loan recall: As a stopgap, City have also recalled young defender Max Arlen from his loan spell at Watford, scrambling to plug gaps with existing resources.
Comments
584: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 05:23
Gvardiol, tibia fracture, surgery.
Return date unknown.
It’s over.
586: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 05:40
Josko broke a bone, huh…
Every position’s thin as hell.
A small squad can’t survive this schedule.
588: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 06:45
Wait, a fracture??
Everything’s going wrong at once.
589: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 07:43
Chance for Kusanov to step up.
Gvardiol played nonstop even during last year’s rough spell.
End result of the bald fraud’s obsession with a fixed XI.
Rodri and Akanji weren’t the only victims.
590: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 07:51
Play someone every two days without rotation and yeah, injuries happen.
591: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 07:55
Stones–Ake era is basically done after this season anyway.
We needed a new CB already — now it’s urgent.
593: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 08:37
If it’s the fibula, he’s never fully the same.
Seen it with Isak too — lifelong issues.
595: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 10:21
Looks like Guehi might arrive in winter.
If Gvardiol’s out long-term, not signing anyone would be madness.
596: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 10:35
Might as well assume Gvardiol’s gone for the season.
This isn’t the time to mess about with Semenyo.
597: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 10:47
Priority just flipped to
Guehi >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Semenyo.
598: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 10:49
@RealTolmie
Translated from English:
City were already making moves for Guehi and Palace before Josko’s injury went public.
So recalling the loan kid was probably part of that plan anyway.
With contracts expiring, Stones–Ake won’t be here next season.
599: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 11:03
Holding midfield’s a mess too.
Nico’s being run into the ground, Rodri’s not 100%.
So what’s the plan — Nunes CM? O’Reilly CM?
Phillips miracle comeback?
606: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 15:41
Dias came back during last year’s nightmare and played nonstop since.
Hope it’s minor — we don’t function without him.
How far can we go with Kusanov and Ake…
Worst case it’s Nico (whenever he’s back) or Rodri at CB. Yikes.
