Nathan Ake sidelined long-term after surgery, City faces defensive crisis

Manchester City has confirmed that Nathan Ake will be sidelined for an extended period following successful surgery on a long-term foot injury, which he aggravated during the FA Cup win over Plymouth. Ake's condition is particularly concerning as he is the third central defender, alongside John Stones and Manuel Akanji, to be unavailable, putting pressure on the remaining squad members including Ruben Dias, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis. Pep Guardiola acknowledged the challenges posed by the injury crisis but expressed gratitude for the new signings that provide some depth. City is currently focused on their FA Cup campaign as they have fallen behind in the Premier League and were eliminated from the Champions League. Guardiola noted the team's improvement in performance despite the ongoing injury issues, emphasizing the need for resilience to qualify for next season's Champions League. The timeline for Ake's return remains unclear, raising concerns for the team's defensive lineup in crucial matches ahead.