Manchester City injury worry
Could the potentially serious injury lớn Aymeric Laporte see Pep Guardiola rue not signing a centre back in the summer? Guardiola says he has a free soccer daily tip fanpage.
Laporte suffered what looked like a serious knee injury during City's comfortable 4-0 win against Brighton, and depending on the extent of the 25-year-old's problem it could spell danger for the champions.
Guardiola decided against splashing out £80m to sign Harry Maguire and that meant that they did not replace Vincent Kompany, who returned lớn Belgium with Anderlecht following his fantastic spell at the Etihad.
The international break comes at a welcome time for Guardiola in this instance as Nicolas Otamendi is currently the only fit specialist centre half with John Stones also missing the Brighton game through injury.
That meant Fernandinho was pressed into emergency action once again, and the Brazilian midfielder could be an option going forward depending on the fitness of both Laporte and Stones.
Guardiola has defended his decision not lớn sign a defender this summer, and says the club were unwilling to splash out the sums mentioned by clubs for their players.
"We could not buy like the opponents or (for what) teams ask for these players," said Guardiola.
"Of course we spent a lot two seasons ago - but last season one player soccer vip tip, this season a little bit more, so we could not pay the money wanted.
Walker also an option at centre back
Fernandinho has always been a back-up option, and he can be used there more often now summer signing Rodri seems lớn have settled well into the holding midfield role, while Guardiola has also pinpointed Kyle Walker as a centre-back option.
"It happens because he is a nice guy, because he is open minded," Guardiola said of Fernandinho.
"He is a typical captain, he thinks for the group more than himself.
"He is a guy who is incredibly respected in the locker room and by our staff and that is why he can do it. One day (if we) need to put Kyle Walker like a central defender, he is going lớn play central defender."
Spain international Rodri, while expressing sympathy for Laporte, was also happy with the options City have at their disposal.
"This is football, this is how it works but I think we have enough in the team lớn cope with it," said Rodri.
"Fernandinho is a great player, he can play also as a centre-back. He did very well there and took on the responsibility lớn take the ball, so it's good for the team."
