How Pep Guardiola covers the loss of Mateo Kovacic will be fascinating to watch unfold | OneFootball

Speaking during his pre-game press conference ahead of Manchester City’s crucial Premier League fixture against Tottenham Pep Guardiola had mixed news on the injury front. There was good news as a host of City’s defenders are available for tomorrow’s match. The bad news was the loss of Mateo Kovacic for up to a month. But heading into tomorrow’s match and going forward, how Pep Guardiola covers the loss of Mateo Kovacic will be fascinating to watch unfold.

The loss of Mateo Kovacic is a cruel blow for Manchester City. Kovacic has stepped up in Rodri’s absence. He has been one of City’s best players this season playing in Rodri’s role. It is a credit to the Croatian international just how well he has played in Rodri’s absence. But the news of Kovacic’s injury is a huge blow for the world champions. Now it will be a test for Pep Guardiola to fill the void left by not just Rodri’s absence but the injury to Kovacic as well.

When looking at the Manchester City squad they are starting to run low on options as to who can play as a number 6 or in a deep midfield role. Ilkay Gundogan has done it before, but he hasn’t been in the best form since he returned to Manchester City. Perhaps that challenge may bring out the best in Gundogan. But he doesn’t look to have the legs required to play that role for a full 90 minutes.

Manuel Akanji and John Stones can both drop into midfield when required. They’ve both shown that throughout their City careers. But the pair have just come back from injury layoffs and may not be fit enough to step into midfield just yet. In my opinion that leaves two other players and a City youngster who could do the job starting tomorrow.

Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis can both play in the heart of midfield. Lewis has always appeared destined to one day become a midfielder. Maybe tomorrow’s match is the time when he steps into midfield on a full-time basis. He has the talent and tactical ability to do so. Nico O’Reilly is another young Manchester City starlet who could play in midfield. But perhaps it is just too early for O’Reilly to start a game of the magnitude of City’s clash with Spurs.

Matheus Nunes has played in the heart of midfield before. He made his name at Sporting CP playing in midfield and did so at Wolves. Nunes also has the pace that Manchester City’s midfield has appeared to lack. The Portuguese international has shone on the left wing of late for Manchester City. But Pep Guardiola’s needs may see Nunes moved into the heart of City’s midfield. There may not be any other option for Guardiola at this stage.

How Pep Guardiola covers the loss of Mateo Kovacic will be fascinating to watch unfold. Manchester City could not afford to lose the Croatian international for an extended period, but unfortunately, that is how it has panned out. Guardiola has options to play in the heart of City’s midfield as listed above. But who and how he covers the loss of the Croatian international could prove crucial. That starts tomorrow in City’s crucial Premier League clash with Tottenham at the Etihad.