Pep Guardiola is certain that the calf injury that sidelined captain Vincent Kompany after Belgium’s 9-0 win over Gibraltar on Thursday will only see him miss tomorrow’s game at home to Liverpool.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s lunchtime Premier League clash at the Etihad, the Manchester City manager confirmed the injury to Kompany but insisted he had no regrets over City’s failure to add to their defensive ranks at the end of the transfer window.
“The window is over.” declared Guardiola, “With or without Vincent we maybe needed another one but we have [Eliaquim] Mangala, Tosin [Adarabioyo] and we have others who can play there.”
Guardiola insisted that the late transfer saga that saw City miss out on West Brom captain Jonny Evans and Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez was behind them.
Guardiola issues firm denial of Raheem Sterling transfer rumour
The Alexis Sanchez deal took a late twist at the eleventh hour with stories about an enquiry for City winger Raheem Sterling emerging. Despite rumours that Sterling might have entertained a return to the capital, Guardiola insisted that the England winger – whose goals have helped City to seven points from a possible nine this season – was never for sale.
He maintained his fulsome support for Sterling, and added: “When we start to speak with Arsenal on the last days before it was not possible they wanted a swap with Ras.
“They talked to me and I said no chance, zero chance, not one percent chance.”
Praising next season’s agreement to close the incoming Premier League transfer window Guardiola called for European leagues to follow suit to prevent disruption at the start of the season.
“I am so happy with the decision they have taken in the EPL.” declared Guardiola, adding: “We need to talk to UEFA and FIFA to make sure all the windows finish at the same time.”
Guardiola also confirmed that Ilkay Gundogan, who has been returning to full fitness for the last three weeks, would be part of the match day squad.
Gundogan played in the 2-2 draw between City’s EDS team and Leicester City’s U23 recently but looked short of full match fitness.
Liverpool will be missing Philippe Coutinho, who continues to miss out with his recent back injury.