Pep Guardiola don confirm say defender Abdukodir Khusanov go miss the next three matches wey dey come because of injury wey e knack for the Arsenal game on Sunday.
City go face Huddersfield Town for EFL Cup on Wednesday, and as e be so, Pep go shuffle im squad wella. Khusanov wey don dey solid for their backline no go dey available after e commot for halftime against Arsenal.
Pep yarn give press people say: “He go dey out for the next three games I think.” The coach still confirm say James Trafford go start inside goal instead of Gianluigi Donnarumma when dem face Huddersfield.
How Big This Blow Be for City?
If na just three matches Khusanov miss, the games wey e go sidon out na: Huddersfield (EFL Cup), Burnley (Premier League) and Monaco (Champions League, October 1).
On paper, City fit still waka through those fixtures without stress, but Khusanov na key piece for their defence against Arsenal as e cover ground sharp-sharp, like how Kyle Walker dey do before.
But make no mistake, dropping points for Premier League — especially against Burnley — fit cost dem, since dem don already dey 8 points behind Liverpool for top spot.
Who Fit Replace Khusanov?
Guardiola fit try use Matheus Nunes for right-back, even though na midfielder e be originally. E no get Khusanov physical presence but e fit still deliver when e lock in.
If Pep choose that option, e fit balance am by using Nathan Ake as left-back because Ake sabi defend and e quick enough to help Nunes cover.
John Stones too dey available to enter central defence, wey go make Pep shift Josko Gvardiol go left side of the back four. The matter be say Pep no too dey sure if e wan commot Gvardiol from that central role wey e don dey shine inside.
TPB Take
Khusanov absence na setback but no be crisis. City get depth wey fit handle Huddersfield and Burnley. The real test go be against Monaco for Champions League — that na the match wey go show whether Pep shuffle go hold ground or expose weakness.
