Guardiola not planning to patch up City defence in January window

Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City will not buy a player in the January transfer window despite admitting he is concerned about his team's growing list of injuries in defence.

The Premier League champions look destined to be without Oleksandr Zinchenko and Rodri until December after the pair reported fitness problems this week.

With Aymeric Laporte on the sidelines until well into the new year, Guardiola will be heavily reliant on John Stones and Benjamin Mendy, two defenders whose City careers have been severely hampered by injuries.

But while the City manager has expressed his concern, Guardiola insists cash-rich City do not intend spending when the transfer window re-opens at the end of 2019.

"I'm a little bit concerned because in a few positions we don't have enough players," said Guardiola.

"January window I think we are not going to buy. The club didn't introduce me to the players they thought could help us so without that it's not going to happen. Our need is not just for six months it's for a long time and the important players will not be sold. We are going to stay all the season, I think, with all the players we have right now."
"I think it's coming that he can play regularly. Games, games, games and he will get to his best level. Still he is not on the level that we believe he can do it but that's normal. After two seasons out, he needs time"
"I said when Laporte happened that it is what it is. We can't stop and complain, 'oh what bad luck.'