Medical insider issues ‘surprise’ Man City claim as Aymeric Laporte return date revealed
It was a “surprise” to see Aymeric Laporte play through his knee injury for Man City at the tail end of 2021-22.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
Laporte, 28, did not feature for Man City in pre-season after undergoing surgery on a medial collateral ligament injury over the summer.
As quoted by the Daily Mail last Friday (29 July), Pep Guardiola revealed that the French centre-back will now likely be sidelined until September.
Laporte was carrying the injury during the closing throes of 2021-22 as City battled to secure a fourth Premier League title in five years.
Dinney claims that Guardiola is right not to take any risks with the defender after his exertions last season.
“We talk about technological advancements and injury identification, but ultimately we are still beholden to the human body,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“We know that Laporte underwent knee surgery to repair some MCL and possibly also some meniscal damage. That follows a timeframe of around three to four months.
“He put his body on the line in the final games of last season. It was a surprise to see him but Pep thought he had to take that risk. To his credit, Laporte was willing to play.
“But Pep now has the likes of Dias, Stones and Ake available now injuries have cleared. There are lots of options there, so there’s no need to take any unnecessary risks.”
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor lambasts Ruben Dias as controversial Man City footage emerges.