In a dramatic twist for Manchester City fans, four key players are set to remain sidelined until after the international break, casting a shadow over Pep Guardiola’s plans as the season heats up. The treatment room at the Etihad Stadium has become alarmingly bustling, a situation that Guardiola had hoped to avoid in the early stages of the campaign. With a series of injuries striking both new signings and established stars, the City boss has been forced into a tight corner, relying heavily on squad rotation and tactical ingenuity to manage an intense fixture list.
Leading the headlines is Rayan Cherki, whose promising debut at City has been abruptly halted by a hamstring injury. Cherki’s absence has been felt acutely, particularly after his electrifying performances caught the eye of supporters and pundits alike. Alongside him, Abdukodir Khusanov has also been ruled out, missing critical matches following a disappointing draw against Arsenal. His absence, compounded by injuries to other squad members, has left Guardiola scrambling for solutions.
Full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri, acquired from Wolves to bolster the City defense, has faced a setback of his own, suffering an ankle injury during a clash with Tottenham. This misfortune has stunted his early momentum, and it appears recovery will take longer than initially anticipated. Meanwhile, Omar Marmoush, who picked up an injury while on international duty with Egypt, has further depleted Guardiola’s attacking options at a time when squad depth is essential.
The good news for City supporters is that all four players—Cherki, Khusanov, Aït-Nouri, and Marmoush—are targeting a return following the October international break. Reports indicate that they are all eyeing the match against Everton on October 18 as a potential comeback opportunity. Cherki, in particular, has made notable strides in his rehabilitation, prompting speculation that he could even be considered for an earlier return against AS Monaco in the Champions League next week. However, internal club sentiment suggests that the match against Everton remains the more realistic target for his comeback.
In contrast, Aït-Nouri’s recovery timeline appears less optimistic, with expectations set for his return to training only after the international break concludes. Similarly, Marmoush is also projected to make his comeback post-break, despite earlier suggestions from Guardiola that he might be ready sooner.
The timing of these returns is crucial, as City prepares to face a whirlwind of fixtures upon Everton’s visit to the Etihad. Guardiola will undoubtedly be eager to restore nearly full strength to his squad, especially with matches against Burnley, AS Monaco, and Brentford looming on the horizon. Given the circumstances, young academy talents like Stephen Mfuni and Divine Mukasa may once again be called upon to step up and gain invaluable first-team experience.
As the clock ticks down to these players’ returns, the focus will be on how quickly Cherki, Aït-Nouri, Khusanov, and Marmoush can shake off the rust and regain their sharpness. Their performances in the coming weeks could be pivotal for Manchester City as they aim to build momentum and tackle the challenges of the congested fixture schedule, particularly as the festive season approaches. The pressure mounts, and the stakes are high—City needs its stars back in the game to keep their title ambitions alive.
