Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is preparing to face a midfield nightmare after Kevin de Bruyne was ruled out of the opening weeks of his side's season.
Guardiola led his side to winning the treble last season, picking up their third successive Premier League title, the FA Cup and the club's first-ever Champions League. But the Spaniard is set for a major squad overhaul this summer, which could impact his options.
Captain Ilkay Gundogan has left the Etihad Stadium after the end of his contract and has joined Barcelona. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva also appears to be on his way out, with a lucrative offer for the Portuguese international coming in from the Saudi Pro League.
If Silva does depart as expected, Guardiola will be left having to totally rebuild his first-choice midfield. Silva, Gundogan and De Bruyne were all selected to start the Champions League final against Inter Milan, alongside goalscorer Rodri.
But none of those three could be available to start Cty's first two games of the 2023/2024 campaign. With Gundogan and Silva playing elsewhere, De Bruyne is set to be forced to sit on the sidelines.
According to the Daily Star, De Bruyne suffered a grade three hamstring tear in the final in Istanbul. While that injury does not require surgery, he has been ruled out of playing any part in the Community Shield against Arsenal.
Even worse for Guardiola is the fact that the Belgian international has also been ruled out of City's opening Premier League game of the season against Burnley. The champions are said to be optimistic that he will be fit enough to start the European Super Cup on the bench.
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City's medical department have ordered the midfielder to rest before beginning his rehab next month. Despite being sidelined until mid-August, De Bruyne is expected to travel to Asia for City's pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea.
He will not feature in any of their friendlies on that tour though and will instead merely continue his recovery. With Gundogan, Silva and De Bruyne unavailable, Guardiola may have to change tactics.
Kalvin Phillips and Phil Foden are two of the options to come in while Guardiola is also hoping to be able to call upon Mateo Kovacic.
The Croatian is expected to move to the Etihad from Chelsea after City agreed a £25million fee with the Blues. The 29-year-old only started 17 top-flight games last season, but he could quickly become a first-choice option for City.
De Bruyne's enforced absence could also impact who Guardiola picks to be Gundogan's successor as captain. The Belgian is vying with Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker to be named skipper.
