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Manchester City extremely thin in midfield after Ilkay Gündogan injury
Pep Guardiola called the German’s knee injury “the worst news.”
Michael Steele/Getty Images
Manchester City beat Watford on Wednesday night, but they got some terrible news postgame. Ilkay Gündogan went down with a knee injury, and it’s a very serious one.
“We are going to miss him for a long time,” said City manager Pep Guardiola. “This is the worst news.”
Gündogan’s lengthy injury history is why City was able to get him for just £20 million, despite him being one of the best midfielders in the world when he’s fit. He appeared to finally be settling into City’s team and English soccer after a slow start to the season before this injury, and City’s lack of depth makes it a devastating blow.
Fernandinho has turned in some good performances this season, but Fernando is among the worst midfielders getting regular playing time in the Premier League, while Yaya Touré isn’t effective in a defensive position in his advanced age. City is also without Fabian Delph due to injury.
The Citizens might start asking David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne to play a deeper role, or give more playing time to youngster Aleix García. Basically, they have no good options with Gündogan and Delph out.
Save of the day
Thibaut Courtois preserved three points for Chelsea with this incredible late stop. (@NBCSportsSoccer)
In the news
Wolfsburg has signed famed video game wonderkid and occasionally great IRL player Riechedly Bazoer. (Bundesliga)
Eric Bailly picked up an injury for Manchester United, but he’ll be back shortly. (ESPN FC)
Europe’s top clubs are pretty annoyed with the proposed new World Cup format. (BBC)
Hey, Cristiano Ronaldo has 500 career club goals! (AS)
Fun rumor: Juventus midfielder Hernanes could move to LA Galaxy. (Football Italia)
Related: this MLS transfer tracker is useful. (MLS)
Stefano Sturaro has a new contract at Juventus until 2021. (Gazzetta)
You should be reading
Dave Martinez on the strange New York Cosmos dead/not dead saga. (Guardian)
Will Unwin on the youngest side Alex Ferguson fielded in Europe. (The Set Pieces)
Ana Ayala on Espuce, a rare bright spot in Ecuadoran women’s soccer. (Unusual Efforts)
What happened on Wednesday
Technically from very early Thursday morning, Real Madrid is in the Club World Cup final. (Managing Madrid)
Spurs had no problem beating Hull. (Cartilage Free Captain)
Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic set each other up in Manchester United’s win. (The Busby Babe)
Chelsea did enough to beat Sunderland. (We Ain’t Got No History)
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