Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic is set to miss the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup after undergoing successful surgery on an Achilles injury. The 31-year-old Croatian international had already been sidelined, missing the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace due to this injury and facing suspension for the last Premier League match against Fulham, which came after he received a red card for a foul in the penultimate fixture against Bournemouth.
In a statement issued by the club on Monday, Manchester City confirmed the surgery and outlined Mateo Kovacic’s recovery process: “Mateo Kovacic has undergone surgery on an Achilles injury. The Croatian midfielder will now miss the FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the USA this June. He is expected to spend the summer undergoing rehabilitation to ensure a complete recovery, and everyone at the club wishes him a swift and smooth return to fitness.”
Mateo Kovacic’s absence is particularly concerning for City manager Pep Guardiola as they prepare for the Club World Cup, where squad depth will be crucial. The midfield lineup is also uncertain as star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is reportedly close to joining Napoli, making it unlikely that he will travel to Florida on June 12. In addition to the Rodri and McAtee news, Manchester City is closely monitoring the depth of its roster. Other young players may have the opportunity to step up and demonstrate their abilities during the pivotal upcoming games while McAtee is away on international service. It’s likely that the coaching staff is assessing the team’s dynamics and devising alternative strategies to mitigate the impact of these absences.
As the June 10 registration deadline draws near, supporters are excited to see how this potential addition might improve the team’s performance in both domestic and international competitions. Overall, the club’s atmosphere is still one of hope and anticipation as they prepare for a difficult but exciting time ahead. The ongoing discussions surrounding Tijjani Reijnders also highlight Manchester City’s proactive approach in the transfer market. Securing a versatile midfielder could provide much-needed reinforcement for the squad, especially with the busy schedule ahead.
