Aymeric Laporte damaged the cartilage and lateral meniscus in his knee during City’s 4-0 victory over Brighton back in August and as a result, was forced to undergo surgery.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been forced to cope without their central-defender ever since and his absence has certainly been felt.
In the eyes of these supporters, the Frenchman’s return cannot come soon enough.
Will Man City sign a central-defender in January?
Yes
No
Missing this guy so much. Wishing you fast fast recovery
— James Klu Mawuko (@JK_Mawuko) November 27, 2019
laporte as our last line of defence is something i never feared.. so good at reading attacks that’s why himself n kompany at our defence… by far premier league best duo last season
— 420 SAGE (@manuel_blacc) November 27, 2019
— Despicable me(´?`??) (@_Lex_oz) November 28, 2019
Hope he comes back soon!
— Swapneel Kulkarni (@SwapDoesntCap) November 27, 2019
Miss him
— Iwahasibuan (@iwahasibuan) November 27, 2019
I really miss Aymeric Mahn ???
— Jay-Jay (@Judah_JUDAH) November 27, 2019
What do we think?
Laporte’s injury has been a huge nuisance to Man City and his absence is, perhaps, partly the reason as to why the club find themselves nine points behind the Premier League leaders Liverpool. The former Athletic Bilbao defender established himself as one of the division’s top central-defenders last season – in Pep Guardiola’s eyes; therefore, his absence coupled with the failure to replace Vincent Kompany has contributed to a weaker, more porous defence.
City have conceded 14 goals in 13 league games so far – that is nine more than they had conceded at this same stage last season, further highlighting the 25-year-old’s importance. He’s not expected to return until January at the earliest but via social media vowed to return ‘soon and stronger’.
The player’s return cannot come soon enough in the eyes of the fans and the manager but given the severity of the injury, patience is key.