Manchester City will take on local rivals United in the local Manchester derby this weekend. It is out of shape, plagued by injuries and in a bit of a crisis.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won just one of their last 10 games, losing seven, and sit fourth in the Premier League. Respectable, but they are currently looking over their shoulders instead of in front of them.
The loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been enormous. They have struggled to replace him as his deputy, Mateo Kovacic, is also currently absent.
Guardiola lamented Rodri’s absence but also highlighted the fitness problems of Phil Foden – last year’s Player of the Year – this season. Foden has played just six of 15 Premier League games so far.
Then there’s Nathan Aké, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Oscar Bobb. Not an ideal situation. But what is all the complaining about?
A Premier League injury table provided by Air sports in fact shows that five teams have fared worse than City this season, including one team above them.
Manchester City go into this weekend’s Manchester derby in poor form and with an injury crisis
Ballon d’Or winner and team presenter Rodri is out for the season due to an ACL problem this season
Manuel Akanji (left) and John Stones (right) are also out injured
| Club | Injuries |
|---|---|
| Brighton | 17 |
| Ipswich | 17 |
| Arsenal | 16 |
| Tottenham | 16 |
| Aston Villa | 15 |
| Manchester city | 14 |
The table shows that City have had fourteen injuries this season that have resulted in a player missing a match or more. That’s one less than Aston Villa and two less than Tottenham and Arsenal, while Ipswich and Brighton top the list with 17 each. West Ham had the least – 5.
The figures include players who have suffered multiple injuries this season, with Arsenal sometimes missing captain Martin Odegaard and defender Gabriel.
Solly March has yet to play for Brighton this season, while Jack Hinshelwood, James Milner and Ferdi Kadiolgu are out with long-term injuries.
Villa have been without Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey in recent weeks, with Amadou Onana and Ezri Konsa also missing matches.
It’s a similar story when it comes to days lost due to injuries. City is therefore in seventh place, behind players such as Crystal Palace, Arsenal and especially the runaway leader Liverpool.
Brighton, Ipswich, Tottenham and Villa are also at the forefront.
In total, Brighton has lost a whopping 638 days to injuries, with Ipswich in second place with 530 and Palace in third with 444. City’s number is 372. West Ham have lost the fewest with 141.
Liverpool’s is 382, while Arsenal’s is 406.
However, the figures show that Brighton have had it even worse, losing 638 days to injuries
Arsenal are ahead of City in both games missed and days lost through injuries – the Gunners missed captain Martin Odegaard for much of the season
Tottenham have lost more days to injuries than anyone except Brighton
| Club | To dawn |
|---|---|
| Brighton | 638 |
| Ipswich | 530 |
| Crystal Palace | 444 |
| Tottenham | 408 |
| Arsenal | 406 |
| Liverpool | 382 |
| Manchester city | 372 |
Guardiola would likely point out the importance of the players who have lost this season.
“We are playing without the best player in the Ballon d’Or, Rodri… and without the best player in England last season, Foden,” he said at his pre-derby press conference.
‘No team can play without centre-backs, without the Ballon d’Or and without the best PL player of the entire season’.
The absences are relative to each team, but ultimately it indicates that the team has not been managed as well as it could have been. The Spaniard continues to look for a solution.