Mateo Kovacic to miss FIFA Club World Cup as Manchester City release statement | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola will be without Mateo Kovacic for this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, Manchester City have announced in a statement.

The Croatia international played an integral role for Manchester City throughout the course of the last season, largely heightened by the injury-induced absence of Rodri from the end of September through to the final weeks of the campaign.

Alternating between a deep-lying holding midfield role and tasked with operating slightly further forward, Pep Guardiola showed great dependency on the qualities of Kovacic to ensure that his side remained somewhat competitive, particularly in the FA Cup.

With crucial goals in crunch moments too, Mateo Kovacic was viewed as being arguably one of Manchester City’s better players in a difficult campaign for the club, ultimately securing a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League on the final matchday.

But after missing out on the FA Cup Final and picking up a red card in the penultimate game of the season, it has now been revealed that the 31-year-old will be sidelined for even longer and will certainly miss out on the summer’s action.

A statement issued by Manchester City on Monday morning confirmed, “Manchester City can confirm that Mateo Kovacic has undergone surgery on an Achilles injury.

“The Croatian midfielder is now set to miss the FIFA Club World Cup as City head to the USA in June.”

The statement continued, “Mateo will spend the summer rehabilitating from the operation and everyone at the Club wishes him a speedy recovery.”

Mateo Kovacic’s absence for the club may be accounted for by the possibility of a new arrival into Pep Guardiola’s squad, as Manchester City officials continue to work on a deal for AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders.

The Dutch international is expected to arrive into the squad before the FIFA Club World Cup, providing the two clubs involved in discussions can reach an agreement over a transfer fee that is likely to hit €70 million with all bonuses and add-ons included.

Elsewhere and City are also looking to finalise arrangements to sign Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, whilst also strengthening in the left-back position as Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves is also expected to arrive imminently.