With manager Manuel Pellegrini now having the kiss of death on him – otherwise known as the Manager of the Month Award – speaking to press ahead of the game against second placed Crystal Palace, Pellegrini confirmed that David Silva had been added to our list of the walking wounded.
Following on from Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and most recently Fabian Delph, Silva’s name has now been added to the list but the gaffer hopes it’s not a long term thing given the four he has been in for us so far.
Speaking to the Official Site he explained.
‘The injury list is Zabaleta, he has a problem with his knee and Gael Clichy. Also, Fabian Delph has a hamstring injury. Those three and David Silva has a kick in his ankle. Silva is out for tomorrow as I think it would be a risk for him to take another knock. I hope he will be OK for Juventus.’
As for Delph it sounds like we are still awaiting an assessment but with what appeared to be a largely ‘it wasn’t us Guv’ response from England to his injury, Pellegrini does – diplomatically maybe – concur.
‘Fabian worked with us before he went to his national squad – he worked without problems and he played some minutes with our team. It`s very unlucky to have that injury but it happens. I don`t know how long Fabian will be out – we`ll see. I think at this moment it will be a month and a half.’
With Bacary Sagna limping out of France’s recent game against Serbia, the news is positive on him though as Pellegrini confirmed he was 100% fit and in contention.
Moving on from injuries, Kevin de Bruyne could be in line for his debut, especially now Silva is out.
‘Kevin is an important player, like Raheem, he has characteristics we need. His position is easy to settle in our team. He will be a very important player for us. He`s in the squad list, we`ll see tomorrow whether he starts. He`s a young player and he`s improved a lot since he was last in the Premier League. I always say that when good players arrive into a good team with good players, I think that they will continue to improve and that`s why he`s here.’
He did admit that signing for the club and then heading out on international duty wasn’t the best timing when it came to him settling in, but he didn’t believe that would cause any major worries moving forward.
‘It`s not the best way to arrive to go into international duty but these things happen, he must play for the Belgium team. In his position it`s easier to settle in – it`s more difficult when you`re a defender, it`s different work. I spoke with him during the week, we work a couple of days and he`s seen what the team is doing. I think that he can play in all three positions, on the wings or as a striker with no problems.’
Defender and fellow signing Nicolas Otamendi could also now come into his plans as his work permit has finally come through, but Pellegrini is cautious with him suggesting that it’ll be a few weeks before he gets a bow as he gets used to the club and the system – again the reference to de Bruyne’s position allowing him to settle in more quickly.
‘Otamendi is ready to play – he didn`t work too much with us as he as away with Argentina. Before that, we needed the work permit so he travelled to Spain. His position is more difficult to start playing straightaway but he`s 100% and he will play soon.’
Ending his interview, he did make a comment about the Award, choosing to put all the praise on the players.
‘In this profession, you always depend on the performance of the players. It`s always nice to get those trophies but it`s for the players too.’
Finally Wilfried Bony has been in front of the press as well, and he’s confirmed he should be okay for the Palace match having recovered from his own foot injury.
‘I should be available for Saturday. My foot is feeling fine and I`m eager to get my season going. The injury happened in training during a tackle. It wasn`t anything unusual and I didn`t feel that much pain but when I looked at my foot I saw the blood and knew it was a bad cut. I had seven stitches and then it was a case of just rest and letting it heal. People ask if it’s been a frustrating beginning to my career here but I couldn`t be happier at City.’
As for Palace, he admits we are well aware of their strengths and the form they are in, especially the victory over Chelsea, but we are prepared and confident of keeping our own form going.
‘Crystal Palace will be very difficult and we lost there towards the end of last season. But our team is in a very good moment and we feel we can go anywhere and win. Palace`s start to the season hasn`t surprised me at all. They were always improving last season, have strengthened well during the summer and are stronger again this campaign. They have some very good, dangerous players and we`ll need to show the sort of form we have showed in the first four games if we are to go to Selhurst Park and come away with all three points. It`s a tough place to go, but we just want to keep our momentum going for as long as possible.’
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