Man City’s most important player is now clear

Manchester City found themselves facing a fifth winless Premier League game at half-time at Kenilworth Road on Sunday and a result that would have been the worst of the lot.

An hour earlier, fears were growing over Erling Haaland after reports his absence was due to a stress fracture. An hour later, City had bagged the win and Pep Guardiola clarified Haaland’s issue was only a stress of the foot, not a fracture.

In fact, he might be back in time for the Club World Cup when City play their semi-final in Saudi Arabia in a week’s time - a much better timeline than was first feared. By the end of January, Guardiola could be back up to full strength.

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Kevin De Bruyne is making progress on his recovery from injury and his return to action is now being counted in weeks rather than months - albeit City are plotting his recovery carefully given he had to undergo hamstring surgery, a less common medical practice.

Many would argue that the talisman is the most important player for City. Some may say that Haaland should be granted that title given his second-place finish at the Ballon d’Or.

But while De Bruyne and Haaland would help bolster the goal count at one end, City’s main issues have come at the other. The Blues scored four and three goals against Chelsea and Tottenham respectively but won neither contest.

The Treble winners have lost all four matches Rodri has been suspended for this season while the Spaniard is yet to lose a game he’s played in. It’s obvious he is City’s most important player.

This has been exemplified in the last two matches. Aston Villa are on a roll and beat former Premier