Pep Guardiola to test Begiristain transfer gamble one final time after Man City bombshell

Pep Guardiola, backed by Txiki Begiristain, favours a small, manageable squad at Manchester City. This approach has brought considerable success but is not without its perils.

Despite the insistence of certain critics and pundits that the Blues have limitless resources, anyone who has kept an eye on the Etihad in recent years will recognise that City’s triumphs are built on a smaller number of versatile players rather than a plethora of specialists for each role.

Suddenly, City find themselves post-international break with six crucial players injured for an indefinite period, leaving them with a mere 15 fit outfield options. The transfer strategy was always going to be tested if certain players were injured, but the current predicament surely ranks among the worst-case scenarios they had planned for.

However, this is familiar territory for City. They chose not to sign a new centre-back in 2019 when Vincent Kompany departed and shortly afterwards lost Aymeric Laporte to injury.

With John Stones severely off form, it resulted in a primary central defensive partnership of Nicolas Otamendi and a mispositioned Fernandinho.

The outcomes were as good as could be anticipated.

During that season, City also saw Leroy Sane sidelined for the entire campaign, along with Ederson, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Benjamin Mendy, David Silva, Rodri, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero for various periods. It was the only season they haven’t clinched the Premier League in the past seven years.

Even the very best have a limit when half the team is out of action.

This year, after deciding not to secure a replacement for Rodri in the summer, City have lost the Spaniard for the season, while their top player from pre-season won’t return until the new year. Star player Kevin De Bruyne is grappling with a pelvic injury, while captain Kyle Walker has a knee injury.

Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku were added to the injury list this week, suddenly leaving options sparse. They are two games into a run of seven games in 21 days between international breaks, five of which are away from home.

Each of their 15 fit options will need to step up.

So it’s beneficial that some, like Rico Lewis and Manu Akanji, describe themselves as positionless – and that Phil Foden and Matheus Nunes seem to be hitting form at just the right time. Both Foden and Nunes can play across midfield and both wings, as can Bernardo Silva.

Most players will need to switch positions within games as well.

Guardiola has praised the versatility of his squad, with the exception of perhaps Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias and Rodri. This adaptability will be put to the test in the coming 15 days as Guardiola strives to maintain his team’s fitness and freshness.

Begiristain is set to depart City at the season’s end, hoping to leave on a high note with another Premier League title under the club’s belt. If they navigate this period successfully and continue to contend, it could serve as the greatest validation of his transfer strategy yet.

Should they have another triumphant season, anticipate the usual critics to downplay it due to City’s seemingly endless supply of world-class options. The current injury crisis and City’s response to it will instantly counteract this tired stereotype.