Manchester City have been dealt a significant midfield blow, with manager Pep Guardiola confirming that Mateo Kovacic may be sidelined until September or October due to complications from Achilles tendon surgery. This prolonged absence has heightened concerns over the squad’s depth ahead of the new Premier League season .
The 31-year-old Croatian midfielder had already missed the FA Cup final and was omitted from Croatia’s World Cup qualifying squad following surgery earlier this summer . While the club initially anticipated a three-month rehabilitation period , Guardiola's latest commentary suggests Kovacic may return only in early autumn .
Compounding City’s midfield woes, Rodri remains unavailable for the season’s opening fixtures due to a groin injury sustained at the Club World Cup, and is unlikely to feature before the mid-September break . Phil Foden also continues to manage an ankle issue, leaving Guardiola with just a handful of fully fit central midfield options .
As a result, Manchester City may have to rely on less-utilized players such as Nico González, Ilkay Gündogan, or recent signing Tijjani Reijnders to fill the void in defensive midfield .
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