Riyad Mahrez limped off after just 28 minutes in Manchester City’s triumph over Bayern Munich in the International Champions Cup.
His replacement, Bernardo Silva, went on to spearhead a wonderful City comeback, however the dust has settled on the victory and the focus is on Mahrez’s fitness.
The Algerian joined from Leicester in a club record £60 million move, and remains Guardiola’s only big-name signing of the window.
He might have to wait for his competitive City debut, though, as what is now known to be an ankle problem leaves his health in the balance ahead of next Sunday’s Wembley encounter.
Mahrez started all three of Manchester City’s preseason fixtures, coming agonisingly close to a debut goal against Borussia Dortmund.
He only featured for the best part of half an hour versus Bayern, and a worrying-looking injury meant Guardiola had to take precautions and haul him off early.
The Sky Blues contest the Community Shield next Sunday, and if the Spanish manager wants to ensure Mahrez is at paramount fitness for City’s Premier League opener, it could result in the Algerian missing that game.
With the English champions missing 14 of their players because of the World Cup, losing Mahrez could be costly as the new term approaches. City proved they can compete with their young players in a generally impressive ICC campaign, but an ostensibly strong Chelsea are a different outfit.
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Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva, Aymeric Laporte and perhaps some other noticeable names are expected to feature next weekend. Mahrez was certainly set to start, however Guardiola’s interview suggests that may not be the case.
The Spaniard said:
"‘It was his ankle. We will see, maybe it is not a problem. I’m concerned for many things, for injured players, players who are still not here, but I’m so satisfied with what the guys on tour have done.’‘I said in the previous game how proud I was. The performance was similar to the second game.’‘It will be a huge experience for these guys to see that we can play against good teams. We have five or six days until the Community Shield and I don’t know which players will be able to play, but I am so satisfied with these games.’"
Guardiola isn’t looking past the Community Shield at the moment, however Premier League action returns very soon.
And a tough opener against Unai Emery’s Arsenal could define the start Manchester City make.
Huddersfield, Wolves and Newcastle follow the Gunners, and if the Sky Blues can accumulate at least nine points, the morale and impetus should be at a real high.
Mahrez is hopefully back long before then, but for now it is a waiting game.