The Argentine right-back sat out the Citizens’ opening two matches following his duties with the national team at recent Copa America in Chile. It’s the first serious injury he has sustained as a professional, and it will leave Bacary Sagna as the only right back on the first team.
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Manchester City’s other two injured players Gael Clichy and Fabian Delph have meanwhile returned to training this week after having missed the early part of the season.
“Pablo Zabaleta yesterday (Thursday) had a problem in his knee with his ligaments so he will be out for around one month”, Pellegrini told a press conference. “I think that we needed a centre-back”, said the Chilean. We analysed different options and we decided that Nicolas Otamendi was the best option.
The two-time Premier League champions also continue to be heavily linked with a big money move, potentially in excess of £50m, for Wolfsburg star Kevin De Bruyne.
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He said: “The window closes on September 1. When things are finished then I will talk about them”. A win away to Everton on Sunday would equal the club record of nine successive league victories, after finishing last season with six in a row to claim the runners-up spot behind Chelsea.
