Man City’s new £50m signing Nico Gonzalez has a rough debut leaving the FA Cup match against Leyton Orient with an injury after only 22 minutes

Nico Gonzalez’s much-anticipated Manchester City debut unfortunately lasted less than 25 minutes after the £50 million January recruit was forced off due to injury during the FA Cup match against Leyton Orient. This early exit came at a crucial moment in the game, just moments before Leyton Orient took the lead with a stunning long-range effort that caught the City defense off guard.

In a challenging clash, Gonzalez fell heavily under a decisive challenge from Sonny Perkins. Despite his determination to continue playing, the discomfort proved too great, leading the coaching staff to make the difficult decision to substitute him soon after the incident. This scenario is not ideal for City, who have invested significantly in the young midfielder as a replacement for the injured Rodri, hoping to bolster their squad in the midst of a challenging season.

Pep Guardiola will undoubtedly be anxiously awaiting updates on Gonzalez’s condition, hoping for reassurance that the injury is not severe. As Manchester City aims to salvage their 2024/25 season, they will need all hands on deck, especially with crucial fixtures on the horizon.

Gonzalez, now 23, began his professional career at Barcelona in 2019. He spent four years honing his skills with the club before making the move to FC Porto, where he made his mark in Portuguese football. During his time with Porto, he scored an impressive nine goals and provided the same number of assists across 68 appearances, showcasing his talent and versatility on the pitch. His contributions were key in helping Porto secure the Portuguese Cup last season, adding to his growing reputation as a promising talent.

Following this particular FA Cup tie against Leyton Orient, Manchester City’s schedule doesn’t get any easier. They will be hosting Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offs on Tuesday night, a fixture that will test their squad depth and resilience. The team will be hopeful that Gonzalez’s absence will be brief, as they prepare for what promises to be an intense battle against one of Europe’s elite.