By The Independent (Sports) | Created at 2025-01-24 13:57:18 | Updated at 2025-01-24 20:35:30
6 hours ago
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Manchester City’s three new signings could be plunged into debuts against Chelsea on Saturday as Ruben Dias has been added to Pep Guardiola’s injury list.
Defender Dias suffered a groin problem in Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, leaving City waiting to find out how long he faces on the sidelines.
But they have signed two young centre-backs this week, with Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov joining from Lens for an initial £33m and Brazilian teenager Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £29m, while forward Omar Marmoush arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for £63m.
Manuel Akanji is City’s lone available senior central defender, with neither John Stones nor Nathan Ake deemed able to play 90 minutes, with Guardiola saying: “Tomorrow we have one centre-back, plus a little bit.”
It means Reis and Khusanov could be put straight into the team, with Guardiola adding: “They can play, but I don't know yet. Vitor is young, a huge personality. Khusanov has already settled, playing in the French league handles fast players. But of course he doesn't speak much English, only French. Communication will be a situation we have to deal with.”
Reis has only made 22 senior appearances for Palmeiras and Guardiola believes he is a signing for the long term, but who he may have to use immediately.
“He's here, of course he can start,” he added. “The situation we have at the back I'm sure we have options. In some positions we struggle. He comes for many years, not just now. For the young players, it is better when everything is going well but he will make us stronger. The club decide it's a player for many years.”
Marmoush is the second highest scorer in the Bundesliga this season and Guardiola feels he could settle in quite easily.
“Omar, [from] the first training session, I think he will adapt quick,” he said. “The club thought he was for the future for many years with his quality in the final third.”
City will also be without injured winger Jeremy Doku against Chelsea.
