Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for COVID-19, Manchester City have confirmed.
Manchester City Confirm News of Positive Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte COVID-19 Tests
NEWS | City duo test positive for Covid-19
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5rehttps://t.co/O8Bvm665Ie
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 7, 2020
Club Statement
A statement by the club read: “Manchester City FC can confirm that Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for Covid-19.
“Both players are currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. Neither is displaying symptoms of the virus.
“Everyone at the Club wishes Riyad and Aymeric a speedy recovery ahead of their return to training and the new season.”
A Worry for Pep Guardiola
With the start of the Premier League just a few days away, this news will be worrying for Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City fans. However, the good thing is that City will start their season a week later than most teams. This gives Mahrez and Laporte time to recover and get back to training. Still, they are likely to miss City’s first fixture of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers later this month. This will hamper Pep Guardiola’s preparations.
Laporte will be a huge miss for the Cityzens. The Frenchman is crucial to their defensive solidity. If he misses out, Guardiola will probably have to provide Nathan Ake a full debut against Wolves.
Manchester City will miss Mahrez as well. The Algerian is a strong performer for them and City needed their best players for a tough-looking encounter against Wolves. However, this might mean a debut for Ferran Torres. The Spaniard was impressive for the national team in the recent Nations League fixtures. The City fans will hope he can hit the ground running as they start their campaign to regain the title from Liverpool.
Main Photo
