Nathan Aké Undergoes Surgery for Fractured Foot, Adding to Manchester City's Defensive Woes

Manchester City defender Nathan Aké has undergone surgery to address a fractured foot. The Dutch international has faced a challenging season, with persistent foot issues limiting his appearances. Aké expressed his frustration on social media, stating, "This has been such a frustrating season for me but I've now had surgery to fix the problem." 

The injury woes for Manchester City extend beyond Aké. Fellow center-backs Manuel Akanji and John Stones are also sidelined due to injuries, leaving manager Pep Guardiola with limited options in defense. In response, the club secured the signings of Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov during the January transfer window to bolster their defensive lineup. 

Guardiola acknowledged the club's current defensive challenges, stating, "Now again we have central defenders out. I think we are going to miss Nathan." He expressed gratitude for the recent acquisitions, noting, "I’m so grateful to the club for bringing Vitor and Khusanov to the club; otherwise, we would not have any chance to qualify for the Champions League next season or fight for the FA Cup; we would have just Ruben [Dias]."