2026-01-20 11:41:47

Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City “need” new signing Marc Guehi as injuries continue to test his squad during a demanding campaign.

The Citizens completed a £20 million move for the England centre-back earlier this week, with the 25-year-old arriving from Crystal Palace as Guardiola prepares his side for a UEFA Champions League meeting with Bodo/Glimt amid mounting defensive absences.

Speaking ahead of the European fixture, Guardiola made clear that Guehi’s arrival was driven by necessity rather than long-term planning.

The head coach said of Guehi while speaking with TNT Sports: “He’s a top defender. I can say thank you to the club for bringing him to the team in a position where we have a lot of problems in terms of injuries and so on.

“He was always on our radar, but given what’s happened with Josko [Gvardiol], and him being more than two months out, and with other players a little bit down, we need him.”

Guehi has become City’s 16th signing since the start of last season, but Guardiola rejected suggestions that the Premier League champions are struggling through a broader transitional phase.

He said: “When a team plays one game a week, it’s not a problem, but we play every three days, every month, so you need to have a squad. Otherwise, it’s more difficult.

“We will be more consistent without the nine injuries, that’s for sure. But it is what it is. Last season was really not good, as we had an incredible amount of absences. This season, especially in the spirit, it’s really quite similar.”

City’s injury list has left Guardiola without several senior defenders, while Bernardo Silva’s suspension further limits his options.

Despite that, Guardiola insisted he will not lower his standards or make excuses.

He said: “I don’t lie to myself. I have a responsibility to my club. When Man United were better, I congratulated them because they were better. What you have to do is improve, and that is the only way you continue as a team.”

The manager also highlighted the challenge of bedding in new players, with several squad members still adapting to City’s demands.

He said: “A lot of players here are having their first season. When we talk about how good we were in the past, it was because we had three, four, five seasons together. It takes time to adjust.”

Visit Bang Premier (main website)