Manchester – In a rallying cry to his injury-hit squad, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that tiredness is merely a state of mind, urging his players to push through the challenging period. The Sky Blues are currently grappling with a series of absences, particularly in central defense, where Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias have joined John Stones on the sidelines.

The defensive crisis has been compounded by other absences, with Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Oscar Bobb, and Mateo Kovacic all unavailable due to fitness issues or international duty. These setbacks have contributed to a frustrating start to 2026 for City, who have slipped six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal after draws with Sunderland and Chelsea.

With Manchester City still competing in four competitions and facing a relentless schedule until mid-February, Guardiola acknowledges that his options for rotating the squad are limited. However, the Spaniard expressed confidence in his team's mental fortitude, drawing a contrast to a poor spell last season when City suffered nine defeats in 13 games. Guardiola believes the current squad possesses the resilience needed to navigate this difficult period.

"I don't have any – zero zero zero – complaints about my players," Guardiola stated. "Completely the opposite. That's why comparing with last season is completely different".

Guardiola's comments come as he seeks to galvanize his squad amidst a demanding fixture list and a growing injury list. Despite the challenges, the manager is confident that his players have the mental strength to overcome adversity and maintain their competitive edge.