Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol will undergo surgery after suffering a broken leg in Sunday’s 1–1 Premier League draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, the club confirmed on Monday.
The Croatia international was forced off during the second half alongside fellow centre-back Ruben Dias, leaving City short at the back before Enzo Fernandez scored a stoppage-time equaliser for Chelsea. The dropped points left Pep Guardiola’s side second in the table, six points behind leaders Arsenal.
City said Gvardiol had sustained a tibial fracture to his right leg and that surgery would take place later this week. “Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the injury and expected prognosis,” the club added in a statement.
Guardiola had earlier expressed concern over both defenders. “It doesn’t look good,” he said after the match, before the severity of Gvardiol’s injury was confirmed. The extent of Dias’ injury has not yet been made public.
The setback compounds City’s growing defensive problems. John Stones has been sidelined for the past month with a thigh injury, while Rayan Ait-Nouri is away with Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations. Guardiola is also without midfielders Nico Gonzalez, Savinho, Oscar Bobb, Mateo Kovacic and Omar Marmoush ahead of Wednesday’s home game against Brighton.
There was, however, a boost with the return of Rodri, who completed 90 minutes against Chelsea in his first start since October. The Spain midfielder has endured a difficult recovery from a severe knee injury that ruled him out for much of last season, followed by a series of setbacks, most recently a hamstring problem.
“It’s been a terrible, terrible time for me,” Rodri said. “Everything that comes right now is a gift. Every minute that I’ve been on the pitch, it’s a joy for me.
“Thank you to God for giving me this second opportunity, to enjoy my profession and recover my smile.”
