Agree with this in general but do think they have more risks than just Haaland from an injury perspective. They are woefully thin at FB and are heavily relying upon a 32 year-old Kyle Walker and Cancelo who has played a shit ton of minutes the last couple seasons. Both will be heavily involved in WC too so that's a problem.
Additionally, they are light in CM. KDB is playing fantastically but he is 31, will play every minute in the WC, and has a history of niggles here and there. Rodri is younger but just as key and also has played a ton of minutes and will again be heavily involved at the WC. Silva remains fantastic and Gundogan is a great 2nd option, but again there are some load issues here. Behind those 4 it's basically Phillips (who is consistently injured) and playing Foden there, which, if done, all of the sudden makes the wings pretty light. Basically, City have created their thinnest and oldest team since maybe Pep's first season in a year with a Winter WC. I think there are risks with that strategy that go beyond a certain Norwegian (who will get a nice, long rest during the WC).
Agree with this in general but do think they have more risks than just Haaland from an injury perspective. They are woefully thin at FB and are heavily relying upon a 32 year-old Kyle Walker and Cancelo who has played a shit ton of minutes the last couple seasons. Both will be heavily involved in WC too so that's a problem.
Additionally, they are light in CM. KDB is playing fantastically but he is 31, will play every minute in the WC, and has a history of niggles here and there. Rodri is younger but just as key and also has played a ton of minutes and will again be heavily involved at the WC. Silva remains fantastic and Gundogan is a great 2nd option, but again there are some load issues here. Behind those 4 it's basically Phillips (who is consistently injured) and playing Foden there, which, if done, all of the sudden makes the wings pretty light. Basically, City have created their thinnest and oldest team since maybe Pep's first season in a year with a Winter WC. I think there are risks with that strategy that go beyond a certain Norwegian (who will get a nice, long rest during the WC).
Hard to argue with your commentary!