Manchester City Faces Defensive Setback as Gvardiol Suffers Fractured Tibia

Key Takeaways:

• Manchester City has confirmed that Joško Gvardiol has fractured his right tibia and will undergo surgery later this week
• Gvardiol could be sidelined for 4 to 6 months, with recovery possibly extending to 9 to 12 months in more severe cases, as reported by 24sata
• Manchester City has recalled Max Alleyne from his loan at Watford amidst rumours of potential transfer activity for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi

Injury Update and Recovery Outlook

Manchester City has announced that Joško Gvardiol has sustained a fracture to his right tibia and is expected to undergo surgery later this week. While the club has not disclosed a precise recovery timeline, English media sources have indicated that the injury may rule the defender out for the remainder of the season. Concerns have also emerged in Croatia regarding Gvardiol’s eligibility for the upcoming World Cup, with local outlet 24sata detailing that such an injury generally requires between 4 and 6 months of recovery, though the rehabilitation could extend to 9 to 12 months in extremely severe cases.

🚨| Injury update

Joško Gvardiol has suffered a tibial fracture and will require surgery, with recovery expected to take around 3–6 months. He is likely to miss the remainder of the season.

Wishing Joško a smooth surgery and a strong recovery 💙 pic.twitter.com/rqel4TwpY5

— City Chief (@City_Chief) January 5, 2026

Player Response

Gvardiol took to social media in order to reassure supporters that he remains resolute, stating that this difficult period will not break him and that he will emerge stronger, while also expressing his thanks for the ongoing support from fans.

Manchester City’s Response to Defensive Crisis

The ongoing defensive crisis may prompt Manchester City to strengthen their backline during the January transfer window. Widespread speculation links the club to a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi. Furthermore, the club has already acted by recalling Max Alleyne following the early termination of his loan spell at Watford.