Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has been ruled out for six months after undergoing knee injury. Pep Guardiola explains.
The France Centre-back has had surgery on his right knee after being carried off in the 4-0 win over Brighton on 31st August. This happened before the international break and pep Guardiola confirmed the extent of his injury.
Laporte damaged his cartilage and lateral meniscus in a challenge with Brighton defender Adam Webster.
When asked how long Laporte will be out, Guardiola said, “Five months, six months. Next year sure, January or February.”
The 35-year-old Laporte made 35 league appearances last season with Bernardo Silva the only City outfield player to play more.
His injury has left City with Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones as central defenders. With the departure of Vincent Kompany to become player of Anderlecht in the summer.
Another player who suffered a serious knee injury was Leroy Sane. The winger incurred injury in the Community Shield win against Liverpool in August.
There was fear that the 23-year-old winger would miss the whole season. However, Guardiola confirmed he will be back most likely at the beginning of 2020.
He said, “he is coming back before the end of the season. He got the injury in August, so in January or December- maybe February could be perfect.”
Guardiola supports City transfer idea
Guardiola says his club’s proposal for the Premier League to have different deadlines for domestic and international transfers is “a good idea.”
Several clubs including City were unhappy at the three-week gap between the English transfer window closing and that of the remainder of Europe. They believe it offered rival clubs an unfair advantage.
At the Premier League meeting on Thursday in London, matters of discussion were whether to revert to the end of August rather than closing the window before the start of the season as it has been the case for the past two seasons.
Guardiola said, “It’s a good idea. I would like to finish the window the day before we start the season. All the managers would want to start with the players we are going to work with. But the other clubs have three weeks. Maybe that is a solution.”