Kevin De Bruyne is the latest Manchester City player to be struck down by injury and the Belgian could be out for up to six weeks after limping off against Aston Villa.
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Guardiola admitted losing his playmaker is a blow as he acknowledged maintaining a healthy squad is one of many factors in achieving success, though that is something he feels is becoming increasingly difficult to do due to the number of games.
“There are many reasons why a team is champion,” he said ahead of City’s FA Cup clash with Cheltenham Town when asked if this season’s titles will be won by the team who suffers the least amount of injuries.
“We compete in all the competitions and it is so important to have fit, healthy players but it is so impossible when they play every three days for 11 months.
“There are injuries at all clubs and we know it. We try to avoid it, we have more medical advice than ever, more nutritional advice, we try to take care of the players but they are human beings and at some point the bodies say it is enough.
“With the amount of games and previous competitions in the last five seasons, the players don’t want to get injured but there are injuries.”
“When we demanded five substitutions, it’s for this reason. Why can we do it in the FA Cup but not the other competitions?
“I’m not just saying it because it’s Kevin. It’s too many games and competitions, in the end, the players suffer.”
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