Manchester City's John Stones out “for a while,” says Pep Guardiola

John Stones could be sidelined for a significant amount of time due to an injury he picked up midweek in the Champions League.

Manchester City defender and midfielder John Stones suffered a muscular injury against Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Englishman started the match but was pulled off at halftime by his manager Pep Guardiola. According to Guardiola, the 29-year-old could be out “for a while.” 
 
Stones has proven to be an incredible player for Manchester City. If his injury is as bad as Guardiola has indicated, Stones’ absence could have a major impact on City’s Premier League and Champions League title defences.  

Stones out with muscular injury 

John Stones was subbed out at halftime of Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Young Boys. The Cityzens were well in control of the match, so some assumed this substitution was precautionary or simply to rest Stones. We now know that this was not the case.  
 
Pep Guardiola revealed after the match that Stones suffered a muscular injury during the first half. “It’s muscular,” said the Spaniard when asked about the Stones' substitution.  
 
Stones had previously missed the first two months of the season due to a hip injury. Manchester City have yet to fully assess Stones’ current injury, so we do not know how long he will be out. His manager is not optimistic. “[Stones] will be out for a while,”said Guardiola.

“Bad news” for Manchester City 

Manchester City may not have needed John Stones to get past Swiss Champions Young Boys. However, if they want to repeat as Premier League and Champions League winners, Stones will need to play a big role.  
 
The Barnsley academy product had flourished under Pep Guardiola. First, as a centre back, then as a right back, and now as defensive midfielder. Stones’ partnership with Spanish defensive midfielder Rodri has become a key part of Guardiola’s system.Without Stones, City are in trouble, according to Guardiola.  
 
The Stones-Rodri partnership has become such a big part of what Man City does that Pep Guardiola mentioned it specifically after the match when discussing the impact of Stones absence.  
 
“It's a pity and bad news for us,” the Man City manager said “The problem is we play John and Rodri at the same time - now we are in trouble, because we have to play a bit differently, like happened in Arsenal. We do not feel comfortable still, we are not prepared to change many variations.”

Other Man City injuries 

Unfortunately for Manchester City fans, John Stones’ current injury is not the only injury their side is facing.  
 
Legendary midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is out until at least the New Year, Manuel Akanji is still recovering from a lower back injury, and Erling Haaland is nursing an ankle injury. Both Akanji  and Haaland should be able to play against Chelsea in EPL Matchweek 12.  

According to the betting sites, Man City are big favourites over Chelsea, so they may not feel the impact of Stones’ loss in that match. City play Liverpool after the November international break. This will be a major test for them without Stones.