Manchester City’s latest signing, Nico Gonzalez, faced a challenging start to his tenure with the club.
New Signing Woes: Nico Gonzalez Forced Off Early in Man City Debut
The 23-year-old midfielder, who recently transferred from Porto for £50 million, was forced to leave the pitch due to injury just 22 minutes into his debut during the FA Cup fourth-round match against Leyton Orient.
The incident occurred when Gonzalez was dispossessed in midfield, leading to a remarkable long-range goal by Leyton Orient’s Jamie Donley.
In the same sequence, Gonzalez suffered a back injury after a collision with an opposing player. Despite receiving medical attention, he was unable to continue and was substituted by Bernardo Silva.
Manager Pep Guardiola expressed his concerns regarding the physicality of English football and the officiating standards.
He remarked, “I think Nico got to understand immediately what England is and the referees. I know without VAR it is more difficult because they are not used to it but there were one or two actions.”
Guardiola also highlighted the challenges of playing against lower-division teams, noting the absence of VAR in such fixtures.
The timing of Gonzalez’s injury is particularly troubling for City, as they are set to face Real Madrid in a crucial Champions League playoff on Tuesday.
With key midfielder Rodri sidelined since September due to an ACL injury, Gonzalez was anticipated to fill the void in the midfield.
His potential absence adds to Guardiola’s selection dilemmas ahead of the high-stakes European clash.
Despite the setback, Manchester City showcased resilience. After trailing due to Donley’s audacious goal, they managed to overturn the deficit.
A deflected shot from Rico Lewis brought the teams level, and substitute Kevin De Bruyne secured the victory with a late goal, ensuring City’s progression to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
As the team prepares for the upcoming challenges, the focus will be on Gonzalez’s recovery and the squad’s readiness to face Real Madrid.
The club’s medical team is expected to provide further updates on Gonzalez’s condition in the coming days.
