KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Guardiola fears Laporte faces long spell out!

Man City boss Pep Guardiola fears Aymeric Laporte faces long spell on sidelines: 'I think it will be a while'

Pep Guardiola fears Aymeric Laporte faces an extended time out after suffering a knee injury in Manchester City’s 4-0 win against Brighton.

The centre-back was sent to hospital for tests after leaving the pitch on a stretcher in the first-half.

City’s medical staff are waiting for the final results, but fear the France defender has sustained serious damage.

Guardiola said: “It doesn’t look good. Tomorrow we will know.

“Now, exactly what he has I don’t know. The doctor is going to call me but I think it will be a while. Hopefully it is not as long as Leroy (Sane).”

Sane is sidelined until February at the earliest after damaging his ACL in the Community Shield.

Laporte was clearly in distress after hurting himself in a challenge with Adam Webster.

His right knee took the impact of the collision, with the 25-year-old failing to get back to his feet.

The defender had only just earned a call-up by Didier Deschamps after being overlooked by the World Cup winners despite his outstanding form for City.

Pep Guardiola praised his call up, saying: “For me he is the best left-sided central defender in Europe.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Deschamps. Hopefully he can play good and stay there for a long time. All of us are so happy for him because he was looking for this call for a long time.”

Fernandinho replaced Laporte in defence, with John Stones still recovering from a thigh injury that will keep him out until after the international break.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/footbal...a-a4225971.html

City really don't have many CB options available at the moment -
Otamendi and Stones who is not expected to be back before the International break. It was Pep's plan to do a Mascherano and put Fernandinho at CB, but gradually. It looks like he doesn't have that luxury now with LaPorte's injury. I bet Pep is kicking himself that he didn't bring in a replacement for Kompany but you can bet he'll have somebody lined up for January.

Just imagine the outcry if we’d left ourselves having to use Fabinho as a CB.

Fernandinho was always going to be the first back up to the centre half position, Pep did it with Mascerano at Barca

They should've signed Lovren.

I think Mascherano could play CB in La Liga as it's not as physical, he would have struggled in the PL, we will see how Fernandinho does, you cam imagine teams like Burnley & Sheffield Utd targeting him all game.

Yep, anyway massive blow for City.

Yep, massive blow for them, will be interesting to see if City make a big CB signing in January to replace him.

Can't feel sorry for him or Laporte, he injured himself with a stupid challenge.

I think they will if he is injured long term