Frank Christian
Pep Guardiola appeared pleased after securing his recent contract extension with Manchester City, though he faced the harsh reality of an injury setback for his struggling team.
During a press conference, following the announcement of his contract that lasts until 2026/27, a journalist inquired about the fitness of his players ahead of their upcoming Premier League match against Tottenham, especially given their recent streak of four consecutive losses in all competitions.
“No. [Mateo] Kovacic is injured,” Guardiola replied briefly. “It’ll take about three weeks to a month, roughly.”
He shared some positive updates regarding defenders John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake, who have all resumed training. However, the absence of Kovacic could significantly impact the team’s performance.
City are still adjusting to playing without Rodri. While the Spain midfielder will present his Ballon d’Or trophy this Sunday, he’s expected to miss the rest of the season due to recent ACL surgery.
Ilkay Gundogan is likely to take on a central midfield role against Spurs, but concerns over the squad’s age also linger for City.
Is Man City’s squad aging?
Guardiola emphasized that he’s not ready to dismiss players simply due to their age. Although he noted it wasn’t the ideal moment to depart City, he seems to acknowledge the beginning of a necessary rebuilding phase.
“Performance matters. These players have become legendary in my eyes,” Guardiola remarked. “Winning six Premier Leagues shows their capability. I’d love for many of them to have spent a decade here.”
“Yet, I wish players like Vinny [Kompany], David Silva, and Pablo [Zabaleta] were here. Time moves on, both for managers and players.
“If they continue to perform, the club will respond. Good performance keeps you ‘young’, no injuries—let’s go for another year or two, as long as you still have that energy.
“However, we currently have 12 players aged over 30. They need to assess how things progress, and I want to evaluate that myself first. Then, we’ll determine the best path forward.”
At the moment, City has six outfield players over the age of 30, with Kevin De Bruyne’s contract expiring at the season’s end.
All three goalkeepers—Ederson, Stefan Ortega, and Scott Carson—are also in this age group, though this seems less concerning in that area.
Ake will celebrate his 30th birthday this season, while Akanji and Jack Grealish will hit that milestone in July and September of 2025, respectively.
Nonetheless, Guardiola’s observation is valid; time is relentless for athletes. With his contract renewed, he’ll be thinking about the team’s future in the coming seasons.
