Manchester City expected to be without two key players due to injury for Chelsea trip

Manchester City are expected to travel without two key players ahead of their visit to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea on Super Sunday.

The league leaders are in fine form having won each of their last three Premier League outings, bouncing back in typical fashion from consecutive defeats to Wolves and Arsenal prior to the October international break.

Pep Guardiola’s side have won five straight in all competitions, most recently easing to victory against Swiss outfit Young Boys to continue their perfect record in the Champions League this season.

However, the celebrations were dampened with the news of injuries to defensive duo John Stones and Manuel Akanji. The latter could return this weekend, whilst the former is set for an extended period on the sidelines.

Akanji picked up a back injury in training, which left him looking ’75 years old’ according to Guardiola. As for Stones, the Englishman suffered a recurring hip injury which has been a thorn in the side of the 29-year-old this season.

💪 Winning run at home continues
🤕 John Stones injured and “out for a while”

It was a mixed evening for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City…#UCL | @julesbreach pic.twitter.com/dgotbyW7il

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2023

The former Barnsley man missed the start of the campaign due to his hip and only made his first appearance against Arsenal as a late substitute last month.

For the hosts, Mauricio Pochettino will likely be without midfield maestro Enzo Fernandez – who was forced off in Chelsea’s Monday Night Football win against Spurs, taking a nasty blow to his shin and ankle when winning Cole Palmer’s equalising penalty.

Christopher Nkunku, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell and Romeo Lavia will also watch from the stands whilst there are doubts over the availabilities of Armando Broja and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Kevin De Bruyne remains an absentee for the reigning top-flight champions due to a hamstring injury, which will probably keep him off the field until December at least.