Manchester City are currently in the middle of an injury crisis with five key first-team players all unavailable.
Bernardo Silva is the latest high-profile Citizens star to pick up a knock, going off in the first half in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade.
Speaking after the Champions League group stage opener, boss Pep Guardiola declared that his treble-winning side are ‘in trouble’ as a result of the numerous setbacks.
Along with Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic are all sidelined through injury.
And with a crunch Premier League clash against title challengers Arsenal on October 8 looming, Guardiola will be fearing his squad picking up anymore knocks.
But should he be worried? Judging by Transfermarkt‘s valuation of the City squad, he has no reason to.
Boasting the most expensive squad in the top-flight at over £1billion, City’s second string side made up of their current back-up options is valued at £372.4m.
talkSPORT.com has mocked up an alternative City line-up should each of their starting players, if fit, are unavailable for selection.
Second team value – £372.4million
Stefan Ortega – £7.8m
Signed on a free transfer last year to provide cover for no.1 goalkeeper Ederson, the German has starred between the sticks when relied upon.
One of the best No.2 choices in the Premier League, City fans have no problems whenever the 30-year-old is selected ahead of Ederson.
Rico Lewis – £17.3m
With Joao Cancelo shipped out to Barcelona on loan, the City academy graduate is Kyle Walker’s understudy this season.
The 18-year-old, who made 23 appearances in all competitions in his breakthrough campaign last year, has already featured in four games this term.
Manuel Akanji – £33m
Manchester City boast a wealth of talent in the central defensive area, with any partnership picked by Guardiola to arguably be one of the strongest in England.
But if the Spaniard had a fully-fit squad at his disposal, he could opt to select Ruben Dias and John Stones together.
This sees Akanki named in talkSPORT’s ‘second team’, despite him featuring in 48 games in his debut season.
The Switzerland international has started in four top-flight matches this season, but may have benefited from Stones’ hip problem.
Josko Gvardiol – £65m
Signed for £77m in the summer from RB Leipzig, the natural centre-half has had to be shunted out to left-back so far.
Vying with Nathan Ake for a starting spot in the inverted full-back role, it won’t be long until the Croatian becomes one of the first names on the team sheet.
But with Ake rested against West Ham on Saturday in order to face Red Star on Tuesday, it indicates that the Dutchman is valued just ahead of the 21-year-old at the moment.
Sergio Gomez – £11.2m
City’s only natural left-back on their books, the Spaniard was brought in as a back-up option from Anderlecht last year.
And with Guardiola preferring Ake and Gvardiol over Gomez this season, Gomez has been limited to just one Premier League appearance.
Though he did start in the win over Red Star as Guardiola looks to avoid any further injuries in his backline.
Kalvin Phillips – £27.7m
The England international has failed to win his place in the starting XI since joining from Leeds.
However with City boasting one of the world’s best defensive midfielders in Rodri, it is hardly a surprise.
With just 13 minutes of action spread across two substitute outings so far this term, the 27-year-old is at risk of falling further down the pecking order.
Matheus Nunes – £39m
The ex-Wolves star could be set for a spell in the City line-up following Kovacic’s injury.
He made his first start since joining on deadline day against Red Star, with the Portugal international playing the whole match.
Despite being City’s most recent recruit, he is already preferred ahead of Phillips.
Oscar Bobb – N/A
An academy graduate, the Norwegian right winger has three appearances to his name this term – all coming off the bench.
And each of those outings have come in City’s last three fixtures, with the 20-year-old given seven minutes against Red Star.
A surprise name in this XI, the youngster has been included as Silva’s usual back-up – Phil Foden – has been deployed in a new position.
Phil Foden – £95.2m
As comfortable as playing in the No.10 role as he is out on the wings, the 23-year-old is the most expensive player in this ‘second team’.
Foden started regularly from the bench last term, and will be looking to win back his place in the line-up this season.
Boasting a transfer value of a whopping £95.2m, he is the second most expensive player in the City side behind Erling Haaland, and third overall in the Premier League.
With De Bruyne out injured, striker Julian Alvarez has had to play in this position in the Belgian’s absence, despite it not being his favoured role.
Jeremy Doku – £24.2m
Like so many in this side, ex-Rennes winger Doku is aiming to seize his chance in the City starting XI with Grealish currently on the sidelines.
And in his second match under Guardiola, he scored the club’s equaliser against the Hammers in their eventual 3-1 win at the London Stadium.
It should come as no surprise if the 21-year-old lines up against Nottingham Forest this weekend.
Julian Alvarez – £52m
Alvarez has started each of City’s opening league games, as well in the Champions League against Red Star.
But all those outings came as the support striker to Haaland, as opposed to him leading the line.
Should the towering Norwegian ever sustain an injury himself, Alvarez would be Guardiola’s first choice in replacing him.
With 13 Premier League starts last season, it shows that when City have a fully-fit squad, the Argentine often has to settle for a place on the bench.
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