Manchester City face local rivals United this weekend in the local Manchester derby, arriving out of form, plagued by injuries and in something of a crisis.
Pep Guardiola’s team has won just one of its last 10 games, lost seven and is fourth in the Premier League standings. Respectable, but these days they look over their shoulders and not ahead.
The loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been enormous. They have struggled to replace him and his deputy, Mateo Kovacic, is also currently out.
Guardiola regretted the absence of Rodri, while highlighting the physical problems of Phil Foden, Player of the Year last year, this season. Foden has started just six of 15 Premier League games so far.
Then there’s Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Oscar Bobb. It is not an ideal situation. But what are all these complaints about?
A Premier League injury table provided by sky sports In fact, it shows that five teams have had a worse time than City this season, including one team above them.
Manchester City head into this weekend’s Manchester derby in poor form and with an injury crisis
Ballon d’Or winner and team anchor Rodri is out for the entire season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament problem this season.
Manuel Akanji (left) and John Stones (right), meanwhile, are also injured.
| Club | Injuries |
|---|---|
| Brighton | 17 |
| ipswich | 17 |
| Arsenal | 16 |
| Tottenham | 16 |
| Aston Vila | 15 |
| city of manchester | 14 |
The table shows that City have had 14 injuries this season that have caused a player to miss a game 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 fewest: 5.
The numbers include players who have suffered multiple injuries this season, with Arsenal at times without players such as captain Martin Odegaard and defender Gabriel.
Meanwhile, for Brighton, Solly March is yet to play this season, while Jack Hinshelwood, James Milner and Ferdi Kadiolgu have been out with long-term injuries.
Villa have been without Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey in recent weeks, with Amadou Onana and Ezri Konsa also among those to miss games.
The story is also similar when it comes to days lost due to injuries. City are in seventh place because of that, behind the likes of Crystal Palace, Arsenal and, most notably, runaway leaders Liverpool.
Also ahead are Brighton, Ipswich, Tottenham and Villa.
In total, Brighton have lost a whopping 638 days to injuries, followed by Ipswich with 530 and Palace third with 444. City’s number is 372. West Ham have lost the least with 141.
Liverpool’s is 382, while Arsenal’s is 406.
The numbers, however, show that Brighton have had it worse, missing 638 days due to injuries.
Arsenal are ahead of City in terms of games lost and days missed due to injuries – the Gunners missed captain Martin Odegaard for much of the season.
Tottenham have lost more days to injury than anyone above them apart from Brighton
| Club | Days |
|---|---|
| Brighton | 638 |
| ipswich | 530 |
| Crystal Palace | 444 |
| Tottenham | 408 |
| Arsenal | 406 |
| Liverpool | 382 |
| city of manchester | 372 |
Guardiola would probably point out the importance of the players they have lost this season.
“We are playing without the best Ballon d’Or player, Rodri… and without the best player in England last season, Foden,” he said in his pre-derby press conference.
“No team can play without central defenders, without the Ballon d’Or and without the best player in the PL of the entire season.”
Absences are relative to each team but ultimately suggest that the team has not been managed as well as it could have been. The Spanish continues looking for a solution.