The 2025/26 Premier League season has barely begun, yet Manchester City already find themselves grappling with the type of problem Pep Guardiola hoped to avoid—untimely injuries disrupting squad stability. Just days after losing to Tottenham Hotspur in a frustrating encounter, City’s preparations for their upcoming away trip to Brighton & Hove Albion have been overshadowed by news that new signing Rayan Cherki has suffered a thigh injury.
For Guardiola, the timing could not have been worse. The Spaniard had earmarked the France international as a player capable of transforming City’s attacking play with flair, unpredictability, and youthful exuberance. Instead, the 22-year-old will now spend crucial early-season weeks on the sidelines, forcing Guardiola into yet another tactical rethink.
The injury setback comes at a pivotal moment for the reigning treble-winners, who are still recalibrating their identity after a demanding 2024/25 campaign that saw cracks appear in their domestic dominance. With Chelsea and Liverpool strengthening, Arsenal looking sharper, and Newcastle continuing their upward trajectory, Guardiola knows there is little room for missteps.
The Amex clash against Brighton, often a difficult away ground for City, could become an early litmus test of their resilience. But with Cherki sidelined, Guardiola must once again turn to trusted lieutenants, namely Phil Foden, to ensure the rhythm of City’s campaign doesn’t falter.
When Rayan Cherki joined Manchester City from Lyon earlier this summer, there was widespread excitement about what he could bring to Guardiola’s evolving squad. Known for his dazzling footwork, vision, and ability to operate across the attacking midfield line, Cherki had all the hallmarks of a typical Guardiola player—technically gifted, versatile, and intelligent on the ball.
City fans expected him to play an important role in rejuvenating the squad’s creative depth, especially with Kevin De Bruyne now carefully managed to preserve his fitness, and with Bernardo Silva often required in deeper midfield roles. Yet just as Cherki seemed to be finding his footing in Manchester, this thigh injury has interrupted his momentum.
Reports suggest the issue is not long-term—he should return after the upcoming international break—but the short-term damage could still be significant. Cherki had the perfect platform to build chemistry with his new teammates during this run of fixtures. Missing the Brighton clash and potentially France’s upcoming internationals against Ukraine and Iceland means he will return a step behind schedule, both physically and tactically.
For Guardiola, the frustration lies not only in losing Cherki’s direct contributions but also in losing the opportunity to accelerate his adaptation period. Early minutes in the Premier League are often the difference between a new signing blossoming quickly or spending months adjustin
Just a week ago, ahead of City’s clash with Tottenham, Guardiola publicly lauded Cherki as an “unbelievable” player—praise that carried real weight considering Guardiola’s high standards. Such words weren’t simply hyperbole; they reflected genuine belief in Cherki’s ability to become a cornerstone of City’s attacking plans this season.
Guardiola has long been a manager who identifies talent not only for its current qualities but for its potential to fit seamlessly into his positional play system. Cherki’s natural inclination to drift between the lines, take defenders on, and create unexpected moments of brilliance made him a potentially ideal Guardiola player.
Unfortunately, the injury pause means those plans will need recalibrating. Instead of testing Cherki’s adaptability at Brighton—a team that often presses aggressively and leaves spaces for creative midfielders to exploit—Guardiola will now be forced to look inward and reshuffle his midfield puzzle
Trips to the Amex have often proven tricky for Manchester City. Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton are not a typical mid-table side. They play with tactical bravery, pressing high and maintaining possession in a way that mirrors Guardiola’s philosophy. This stylistic clash has led to intriguing battles in recent seasons.
For City, coming off a defeat to Tottenham, the Brighton game carries extra significance. Back-to-back league defeats early in the season would not be catastrophic, but they would raise questions about City’s consistency and ability to maintain their domestic stranglehold. Guardiola, therefore, cannot afford experimentation for experimentation’s sake; every lineup decision against Brighton must be precise. Without Cherki, the onus will now fall on other creative forces—most notably Phil Foden—to unlock Brighton’s stubborn defense
If there is one silver lining to Cherki’s injury, it is the door it opens for Phil Foden to reclaim center stage. The 25-year-old remains one of England’s most naturally talented footballers, but questions about his consistency and best role have persisted.
Foden missed the opening game of the season against Wolves due to fitness issues but returned with a substitute appearance against Tottenham. Now, with Cherki sidelined, the Brighton fixture feels like the perfect opportunity for Guardiola to reinstall Foden as a central figure.
The Englishman was in sparkling form during the FIFA Club World Cup, even setting a record for the fastest goal in the tournament’s history. Those flashes of brilliance remind City fans—and Guardiola—of his unique ability to turn tight games in their favor. Yet for all his talent, Foden’s 2024/25 season was uneven, with long stretches where he struggled to impose himself in matches.
Guardiola knows this must be the year Foden matures fully into the role many predicted for him—a consistent, game-changing force at both domestic and European levels. With Cherki unavailable, the Brighton clash becomes the stage for Foden to demonstrate that readiness
As if Cherki’s absence weren’t enough, City also face uncertainty in goal. James Trafford’s error against Tottenham reignited debates about whether the young goalkeeper is ready to shoulder the pressure of starting for a club chasing multiple titles. Stefan Ortega’s situation remains unresolved, while Ederson’s future continues to be subject to speculation.
Against Brighton, Guardiola will need to decide whether to persist with Trafford, potentially risking another high-profile mistake, or to opt for experience. Either way, the choice will be scrutinized heavily, especially if it influences the result. Goalkeeping stability has been one of City’s defining strengths during their period of dominance. Guardiola will be acutely aware that uncertainty in such a critical position can ripple through the defense and unsettle the entire team.
Beyond City’s concerns, Cherki’s injury also impacts his international ambitions. France are scheduled to play Ukraine in Poland and Iceland at the Parc des Princes in early September. Missing those fixtures will be a disappointment for Cherki, who is eager to establish himself as a regular in Didier Deschamps’ plans.
International breaks often serve as crucial stages for players to showcase their development. For Cherki, every opportunity to represent Les Bleus is also an opportunity to cement his reputation on the global stage. Missing this chance, therefore, carries symbolic weight, even if his long-term international prospects remain bright.
With Cherki out, Guardiola will need to reassess his tactical options for Brighton and potentially for the weeks beyond. Several possibilities emerge: Phil Foden Central Role– Deploying Foden as an attacking midfielder could provide City with the creativity and pressing energy they’ll need against Brighton’s midfield Bernardo Silva Advanced Role– Silva could be pushed higher up the pitch, although that risks weakening City’s control in deeper midfield areas.
Kevin De Bruyne’s Careful Management – While tempting, relying too heavily on De Bruyne early in the season risks aggravating his injury history. Guardiola will likely use him sparingly. Jack Grealish or Jeremy Doku Wide Influence – Either winger could be asked to shoulder more creative responsibility, especially if Guardiola opts for a more direct approach. Each option carries risks, but Guardiola’s tactical adaptability has long been one of his strengths. Brighton away, however, is not the place for unnecessary gambles
The 2-1 defeat to Tottenham was a reminder of how small margins can derail City when intensity drops. Defensive lapses and Trafford’s costly mistake left Guardiola frustrated. The Brighton clash, therefore, must represent a response—a performance that reasserts City’s authority and sets the tone for the season ahead.
Losing Cherki limits Guardiola’s flexibility, but it also presents a test of City’s much-vaunted squad depth. Elite clubs are judged not only by their star players but by their ability to withstand injuries without losing momentum.Long-Term Outlook: Managing Risk and Opportunity While Cherki’s thigh injury may be short-term, its ripple effects highlight broader issues facing Manchester City this season:
Squad Rotation vs. Consistency – Guardiola must balance giving minutes to new signings like Cherki with maintaining results.Foden’s Defining Season– The Englishman has an opportunity to re-establish himself as the face of City’s next generation.
Goalkeeper Instability – Unless resolved quickly, uncertainty between the posts could undermine confidence across the backline.
Guardiola’s Adaptability – His reputation as a tactical innovator will once again be tested as he reshuffles without Cherki.
Rayan Cherki’s thigh injury is far from a season-defining blow, but its timing underscores the fragility of even the best-laid plans. For Guardiola, the challenge is to absorb this setback without losing momentum in a season where every dropped point could prove decisive.
Brighton away now looms not just as a chance to bounce back from Tottenham but as a chance to show that City’s depth, resilience, and adaptability remain unmatched. With Foden likely stepping into Cherki’s void, and with goalkeeping questions still lingering, Guardiola will need to conjure solutions swiftly.
City’s pursuit of another Premier League crown, Champions League glory, and domestic dominance will not hinge solely on Cherki’s recovery, but how they respond to his absence will be an early indicator of whether this squad possesses the mental steel to navigate the obstacles ahead.
For Cherki, the setback is temporary. For Guardiola, the test is immediate. For City, the season rolls on—but not without fresh questions demanding urgent answers.
