When it comes to injuries this season, it’s very much a case of it never rains, it pours, for Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola will relinquish his monopoly on the Premier League trophy in the next few weeks and a tilt at a fifth successive Premier League title has gone horribly wrong.
Rodri has been the biggest loss of all to City’s title defence. The Spaniard has missed the majority of the season after having his ACL reconstructed and he’s been a huge loss to the Citizens.
Guardiola has been linked with Rodri alternatives for next season. However, in the here and now, City are fighting to get themselves in the Champions League for 2025/26.
After beating Plymouth in the FA Cup on Saturday, the City head coach has more bad news to contend with regarding an influential player.
Nathan Ake makes heartbreaking Manchester City announcement
After being withdrawn from the 3-1 win over Plymouth at half-time on Saturday, it’s now been confirmed that Ake broke his foot during the win.
He’s taken to Instagram to keep the City fan base in the loop with supporters concerned as he hobbled off against the Championship outfit.
He’s since posted on Instagram: “This has been such a frustrating season for me but I have now had a successful surgery on a fracture in my foot which has been bothering me for months and I am looking positively to the future! Rest and recover now, see you soon Citizens and thank you for your support.”
Ake has been in and out of the team this season, making just 18 appearances across all competitions and as a left-sided central defender, he will be a big absentee.
Didier Drogba, Virgil van Dijk and Erling Haaland support Ake
As is typically the case with this sort of post on Instagram, footballers from across the globe have sent their support and best wishes to the City star.
Didier Drogba has sent his message in a short and sweet style, saying: “Get better @nathanake.”
Ake plays at centre-back alongside Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk and he simply posted a love heart emoji to his compatriot after his surgery.
Likewise, Erling Haaland sent his City teammate a wordless post too, posting prayer and love heart emojis to the stricken defender.
City have really struggled on the injury front this year and the hope will be that defenders can stop dropping like flies for the remainder of the campaign with Manuel Akanji and John Stones already out injured.