Man City Injury Crisis: Akanji Out for 10 Weeks

Man City's Injury Crisis Deepens – Pep Guardiola Calls for 40-Man Squads!

"The body says – enough is enough!" – Pep Guardiola

Manchester City’s season has taken another hit as Manuel Akanji is ruled out for 8-10 weeks due to an abductor injury. With a packed fixture schedule and an increasing injury list, Pep Guardiola believes that the only solution is to expand squads to 40 players. But he warns that such a move could financially cripple clubs!

Is football's relentless calendar to blame for this injury crisis? Let’s break it down!

⚠️ Man City’s Growing Injury List – Akanji Out for 10 Weeks!

City’s defensive worries have worsened after Manuel Akanji suffered a ruptured abductor during their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. The Swiss defender is expected to be sidelined for at least two months, missing key clashes in the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.

🔴 Full List of Man City's Injury Woes This Season:

Rodri – ACL injury (Out since September)

Kevin De Bruyne – Multiple injuries (Minutes restricted)

Jack Grealish – Groin issues

John Stones – Ongoing fitness struggles

Erling Haaland – Recent muscle injury

Manuel Akanji – Ruptured abductor (8-10 weeks out)

With injuries mounting, Guardiola is left scrambling for solutions.

💥 Pep Guardiola: “Only a 40-Man Squad Can Solve This Crisis!”

Speaking ahead of City’s Premier League clash with Newcastle, Guardiola did not hold back:

🗣️ "I always expect injuries, but not this many. It’s a problem for every top team—Tottenham, Arsenal, Real Madrid... except Liverpool, who have been lucky this season. The only solution? A 40-man squad! But that would send clubs bankrupt."

Guardiola has repeatedly blamed the overloaded football calendar, arguing that players are forced into too many high-intensity matches with little recovery time.

He emphasized:

🗣️ "Football is non-stop. After club football, they play internationals, then the Nations League, then another competition. It’s not about managers or physios—it’s just too many games!"

But would 40-player squads really fix the problem? Or is it time to reduce the number of matches instead?

📊 The Fixture Overload – Is Football Too Demanding?

In addition to Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups, Man City must also travel to the United States in June to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.

🔥 Key Stats on Fixture Congestion:

Manchester City will play over 60 matches this season!

Top players play up to 75 games per year (club + international).

The average Premier League player runs 10-12km per match.

Injury rates have risen by 30% in the last 5 years!

Guardiola summed it up:

🗣️ "The body speaks for itself. You can say ‘give me heart,’ but the body says ‘NO!’"

🎯 De Bruyne, Haaland, and the Toll on Star Players

Even Kevin De Bruyne, one of the most durable midfielders in recent history, has struggled to keep up.

Guardiola pointed out:

🗣️ "Kevin played every 3 days for 8-9 years. But now he’s 33, and his body is saying ‘enough.’ He missed 5 months last season, and it’s not the same."

Similarly, Erling Haaland, who was once thought to be unstoppable, has suffered muscle injuries due to constant playing time.

Other stars like Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane have also faced fatigue-related injuries.

The reality is clear: even the best players are breaking down!

🔄 Reducing Fixtures vs Expanding Squads – What’s the Solution?

Guardiola dismisses the idea of reducing fixtures:

🗣️ "The Premier League will never cut games. The Carabao Cup will continue. The only solution is bigger squads—but it’s impossible financially."

But is there another way?

Possible Solutions to the Injury Crisis:

✅ Increase squad sizes – But financially challenging!

✅ Fewer matches per season – Unlikely to happen.

✅ Introduce mandatory rest periods – Could help recovery.

✅ Use squad rotation more effectively – But can impact performance.

✅ Improve medical & recovery facilities – Long-term solution.

The question remains: Can football balance player welfare and commercial success?

🏆 Man City's Performance Decline – Are Injuries to Blame?

City’s injury struggles have played a role in their inconsistent form this season.

After dominating English football for years, Guardiola now faces a tough battle to keep up with Arsenal and Liverpool in the title race.

He admitted:

🗣️ "For 9 years, we’ve only had 3 really bad months. What we did in the past—100 points, 4 titles in a row—is not repeatable."

Guardiola’s standards have been so high that even small dips in form feel massive. But with his best players struggling with injuries, how much longer can City maintain their dominance?

🔥 What Happens Next?

With Akanji out, Guardiola must find a way to restructure his defense ahead of crucial fixtures:

📅 Upcoming Key Matches for Man City:

🆚 Newcastle (PL) – Must-win game to stay in the title race!

🆚 Liverpool (PL) – Huge clash with title implications.

🆚 Real Madrid (UCL) – Can they survive without key defenders?

🆚 FA Cup Quarterfinals – Another chance for silverware.

City's squad depth will be seriously tested, and Guardiola will have to rely on young talents like Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol to step up.

Can City navigate this injury crisis and still compete for trophies?

🏁 Final Thoughts – Time for Change in Football?

Guardiola has once again raised a valid point about the demanding football calendar. With injuries rising every season, clubs and governing bodies must take action before it gets worse.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

✅ Man City’s injury crisis is worsening – Akanji out for 10 weeks!

✅ Guardiola suggests 40-man squads but warns it would bankrupt clubs.

✅ Fixture congestion is breaking players – De Bruyne, Haaland struggling.

✅ Reducing matches is unlikely – but new solutions are needed!

✅ Man City faces a tough challenge without key players.

One thing is for sure: football needs a solution before more players break down!

What do you think? Should football introduce 40-player squads, or is it time to reduce fixtures? 🤔💬

📢 Have Your Say!

Drop your thoughts in the comments section below! Do you think Guardiola is right about the overloaded schedule, or should clubs simply adapt and rotate better?

🔹 Follow us for the latest Man City updates & Premier League news! 🚀💙