Man City's Gvardiol to have surgery on broken shinbone

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol will undergo surgery later this week after breaking his shinbone in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League.

Josko Gvardiol (2nd R) of Manchester City heads for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

The 23-year-old Croatia international was forced off after 51 minutes at Stamford Bridge. Fellow center-back Ruben Dias also withdrew through injury around half an hour later.

The club said it was still working to "ascertain the full extent" of Gvardiol's injury and the expected timeframe for his recovery.

"This is a hard moment, but it will never define me. I know who I am and where I come from," Gvardiol wrote on Instagram.

"I'll fight every day to return stronger. I will rise again, better than ever," he added.

To address its mounting injury concerns, City has recalled academy graduate Max Alleyne from his loan spell at Championship side Watford. The 20-year-old could be included in the squad for Wednesday's league clash against Brighton.