Pep Guardiola's Man City squad wish is about to be tested
Pep Guardiola was asked about his squad depth at Manchester City after their 4-4 draw at Chelsea on Sunday, with Nathan Ake's injury meaning he could not fill a bench of nine players.
City even named two goalkeepers on their eight-man bench, giving them just 17 available outfield players - including youngster Oscar Bobb.
Guardiola insisted once again that he liked having a small squad and accepted the risks that come with it. That desire looks set to be tested with two more players picking up injuries from the Chelsea game.
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Ake's injury is enough to keep him out of international duty, with Ederson and Mateo Kovacic also withdrawing from their national squads. They join Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Sergio Gomez on the sidelines.
That leaves 15 outfielders available, and Guardiola always asks his players to stay free of injury when heading to the international break. If none of the injured six are back for the visit of Liverpool, and anyone returns next week with a new issue, Guardiola could struggle to get himself a competitive squad, with options off the bench, against Liverpool in a fortnight.
After that, City face RB Leipzig to win their Champions League group, then take on Tottenham and Aston Villa - second, fourth and fifth in the next three league games.
De Bruyne is progressing well but won't be rushed, while Kovacic will undergo 'checks' in Manchester after feeling muscle pain after the Chelsea game. City will hope his injury isn't too bad, likewise with the foot issue keeping Ederson from going away with Brazil. Gomez could return after the break, while
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