City concern as Mahrez limps home
MANCHESTER CITY will find out the extent of Riyad Mahrez’s ankle injury in the next 48 hours, with the club-record signing in a race to be fit for the start of the season.
Mahrez felt discomfort in the opening minutes of the 3-2 victory against Bayern Munich before hobbling off shortly after. The 27-year- old arrived in Manchester yesterday morning on crutches and wearing a protective boot.
City are hopeful there is no lasting damage to the £60million man’s left ankle but will know more once Mahrez has undergone a scan.
Manager Pep Guardiola took a depleted squad to America for City’s three-match tour, with more than a dozen players missing following the World Cup.
The majority return to training today, with a selection of those who reached the semi-finals keen to return early. Regardless, a raft of youngsters are likely to be drafted in for Sunday’s Community Shield against Chelsea at Wembley.
A number impressed in the States. Guardiola has been enthused by the progress made by both Lukas Nmecha and Eric Garcia, singling the pair out for special praise.
Garcia, a 17- year- old central defender signed from Barcelona, has marshalled a back three with poise. Nmecha, 19, has led the line, scoring in the Bayern win and holding his own against Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk in New Jersey.
Sportsmail understands Guardiola would prefer Nmecha to stay with City this season rather than going on loan, believing the striker can develop further by acting as a back-up.
‘The manager knows what he’s doing, doesn’t he?’ Nmecha said. ‘He demands hard work and as long as you do that, he’ll be good. I’ve learned a lot up to now.’
Guardiola has relished the last fortnight. ‘ You cannot imagine how I enjoyed these days with these guys,’ he said. ‘ They have desire, they are starving to become football players. They are hungry.
‘You say something and they open their eyes and listen to you because they want to make a career. I said thank you to them. I am so happy for the way they played.’
Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz — the pair City are pinning hopes on — put in their most complete performances in Miami. Diaz, who shares an agent with Guardiola, is in the final 12 months of his contract and a loan move is on the cards.
‘We’re training hard so that one day we can play for City or for another club,’ Diaz said. ‘It’s amazing to be here with a club like this.’