Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed a significant double injury setback for his squad, casting a shadow over their preparations for this weekend's pivotal Premier League encounter with Chelsea.
Fresh Blows for City's Title Charge
The news comes after a frustrating New Year's Day for the champions, who were held to a 0-0 draw by a resolute Sunderland side. That result left City four points adrift of league leaders Arsenal in the title race, intensifying the need for a positive result against the Blues.
Guardiola revealed that both winger Savinho and defender Nico Gonzalez picked up injuries during the stalemate at the Stadium of Light. While the manager offered no immediate update on Gonzalez's condition, his prognosis for Savinho was particularly concerning.
"It Doesn't Look Good" for Savinho
"It doesn't look good," Guardiola stated bluntly when asked about the Brazilian forward's issue. The comment strongly suggests that Savinho is a major doubt for the crucial clash with Chelsea this Sunday.
Both players are set for further assessment, but the timing is far from ideal for City. The team is embarking on a relentless period of fixtures across multiple competitions, including the Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League, with weekend and mid-week matches scheduled until mid-February.
Chelsea's Turmoil Offers Little Comfort
The injury woes for City are somewhat mirrored by off-pitch chaos at their upcoming opponents. Chelsea sacked manager Enzo Maresca on New Year's Day, meaning they are likely to face City without a permanent boss in place.
Despite this potential advantage, Guardiola will be more focused on his own squad's shortcomings after the Sunderland draw. He lamented his team's wastefulness in front of goal, highlighting a series of missed opportunities.
"The amount of chances we missed in the six-yard box, not difficult ones, we could not convert," Guardiola said. "We created enough chances... We had a lot but unfortunately we could not do it."
With the title race heating up and a packed schedule ahead, Manchester City's depth will be severely tested. The potential absence of Savinho and Gonzalez for the visit of a wounded Chelsea adds a significant layer of difficulty to their immediate challenge.
