Manchester City have turned to Marc Guehi to steady a stretched defence, with Pep Guardiola describing the England international as a solution for both the present campaign and future seasons. The club secured a reported £20m agreement with Crystal Palace on Monday, adding cover during an intense injury spell across the back four and ahead of a key Champions League trip to Bodo/Glimt.
Guehi signs a five-and-a-half-year contract and will not reach 26 years of age until July, giving Manchester City long-term security in central defence. The former Crystal Palace captain almost moved to Liverpool at the beginning of the season, but Manchester City completed the deal once Guehi entered the final six months of the Selhurst Park contract.
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City are currently without several senior defenders, which increases the need for Guehi to adapt quickly. Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias and John Stones are all unavailable, while right-back Matheus Nunes missed the Manchester derby defeat on Saturday because of flu. The disrupted defensive picture has pushed younger players and versatile squad members into unfamiliar roles.
That disruption was clear against Manchester United, when Abdukodir Khusanov started alongside Max Alleyne in central defence. Nathan Ake played on the left of the defence, with Rico Lewis covering on the right. Guardiola accepts that changing the backline so often makes consistent results difficult, especially during a schedule that also includes Champions League fixtures.
Guardiola made clear how much City value the new signing when addressing reporters before the flight to Norway. "He’s a top central defender; he’s played for the national team. I will say my personal thanks to the club," Guardiola said. "He is the perfect age for many years; he can play on the right or left. And we wanted him especially because he wanted to choose us. "
Guardiola expanded on why Guehi’s arrival matters while several squad members remain absent. "With the problems we have at the back for the next few months, it's really important that he [Guehi] is here. We have 11 absences. And we also have many players who have not been here for even one year. you need time. When we had seven wins in a row, it was because we had Matheus, Ruben, Josko and Nico [O'Reilly] playing the games, and that gives you consistency. I love to rotate the team, but when you have a consistent back four, it helps. When you have a situation like we have right now, it is normal that we have some ups and downs. Accept it. It happens. [Rayan] Ait-Nouri listens to a lot of things. But he was here not even for one year. Khusa is here, Max Alleyne only for a few weeks. We accept who we are and try to be better in the next few games. "
Manchester City’s current defensive absences and stand-ins can be summarised as follows:
| Player | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Josko Gvardiol | Centre-back | Injured |
| Ruben Dias | Centre-back | Injured |
| John Stones | Centre-back | Injured |
| Matheus Nunes | Right-back | Illness |
| Abdukodir Khusanov | Centre-back | Started v Manchester United |
| Max Alleyne | Centre-back | Started v Manchester United |
| Nathan Ake | Left-back | Covered in defence |
| Rico Lewis | Right-back | Covered for Nunes |
Guehi arrives after helping Crystal Palace secure the first major trophy in the club’s 120-year professional history. Palace defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley, where Guehi captained the team. That experience, plus regular international appearances, adds to the sense inside Manchester City that Guehi can contribute quickly in high-pressure matches.
Its such an honour to come and play for this Club. Marc speaks about why he chose to join City pic.twitter.com/sEEfxaHgP6Manchester City (@ManCity) January 19, 2026
Manchester City stand fourth in the 36-team Champions League table, having collected 13 points from six matches. Victory against Bodo/Glimt in Norway would move Manchester City close to automatic progress into the last 16. The match also gives Guehi an early chance to appear in Europe for the new club.
| Competition | Team | Matches Played | Points | Current Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champions League | Manchester City | 6 | 13 | 4th of 36 |
Manchester City have never previously faced a Norwegian opponent in competitive action, but recent history favours English clubs. None of the last nine English sides to meet Norwegian teams have lost, recording six wins and three draws. The most recent Premier League defeat in Norway came in October 2002, when Chelsea lost 4-2 to Viking in the UEFA Cup.
Guardiola continues to stress stability at the back as a key factor, linking the previous run of seven straight wins to a settled defence. With regular starters missing and new faces still adjusting, Manchester City now look to Guehi’s arrival as a way to regain balance, while also planning around the long-term structure of the defensive line.
