According to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, John Stones could be sidelined for up to a month
In the opening period of last Friday’s FA Cup victory over Arsenal, the centre back for England was substituted. Aymeric Laporte was brought in to replace Stones after he tore his hamstring during the game. The 28-year-old will not travel to north London on Sunday to watch Man City play Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. Stones might miss the next five league contests for the defending English Premier League winners.
On February 22, the first leg of Man City’s Champions League round of 16 matchup against RB Leipzig will take place. Stones might not be able to play, forcing Guardiola to rely on Laporte. The centre of Man City’s defence against Arsenal included a connection between the Spain international and Manuel Akanji.
He’ll probably keep the spot until Stones or Ruben Dias are totally well. Against the Gunners, the Portuguese centre back started on the bench. He could start on Sunday against Spurs after being used as a time-wasting substitution last week. Man City’s first-choice center-back partnership this season has been Stones and Akanji.
Due to the Englishman’s injury, Dias and Laporte now have the opportunity to solidify their positions in the starting XI. Stones’ absence won’t be detrimental because Nathan Ake, Kyle Walker, Rodri, and Kalvin Phillips can all play central defence.
Despite playing one extra game, Man City is already five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. If they want to save their title, they must be tough, and a victory over Spurs will be helpful.
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