Pep Guardiola Explains Frantic Marc Guehi Move as Manchester City Agree £20M Deal
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered insight into the club’s urgent defensive recruitment, revealing how injuries and limited cover forced a rethink of their January transfer strategy.
City reached an agreement with Crystal Palace for the signing of England international Marc Guehi on Friday. The 25-year-old centre-back is set to undergo a medical before signing a five-and-a-half year contract at the Etihad Stadium. Guehi becomes City’s second January acquisition following the arrival of Antoine Semenyo, who has impressed with two goals and an assist in his opening two games since joining from Bournemouth for £64 million.
The deal comes amid a defensive injury crisis, with Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol sidelined earlier this month, prompting the recall of academy graduate Max Alleyne from Watford. Alleyne has impressed in successive starts against Brighton, Exeter City, and Newcastle, but City still required long-term cover at centre-back due to fitness concerns surrounding Nathan Ake and John Stones, the latter recovering from a leg injury sustained in December.
Guardiola discussed the circumstances leading to the transfer in a press conference ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby. “What I thought? We are in trouble! That was my first thought,” he admitted. “But that’s why we loaned the option to recover players and we thought, because I knew Max (Alleyne) from training two years with us, and of course he still has a big, big margin to improve.”
The City boss avoided confirming Guehi specifically but explained the club’s approach to long-term planning. “When you sign a player it’s not just for the three months, two months, it’s for years. And after the club has to decide this is the player for years,” Guardiola said. “The same with Antoine Semenyo – he came for years, not to solve a short problem. And this is the best way. So when you have injuries in one department, like central defenders, they don’t come just until the players come back.”
Guehi, who will be closely monitoring City’s performance in the upcoming derby, represents a Premier League-proven, tactically intelligent addition capable of strengthening Guardiola’s defensive options for both domestic and European competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did Manchester City sign Marc Guehi?
Injuries to Dias and Gvardiol created a pressing need for a reliable centre-back, and City required long-term defensive reinforcement.
When will Guehi join Manchester City?
He is scheduled for a medical this weekend and will then finalize his five-and-a-half year contract.
Is this signing a short-term fix?
No, Guardiola emphasized that transfers like Guehi’s are for long-term planning, not just temporary solutions during injury crises.
How does this relate to Max Alleyne?
Alleyne was recalled from Watford to provide short-term cover, but Guehi addresses the need for a proven long-term solution at centre-back.
Will Guehi play in the Manchester derby?
It is unlikely, as Guardiola will assess his readiness following his arrival and medical.
Conclusion
Pep Guardiola’s explanation of the Marc Guehi transfer highlights Manchester City’s proactive approach to squad planning under pressure. With injuries impacting key defenders, the club acted decisively to secure a Premier League-proven, tactically astute centre-back, ensuring City are prepared to compete on all fronts for the remainder of the season and beyond.
