Pep Guardiola admits Man City ‘have to add players’ in January with struggling champions looking to bolster defence and midfield

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Man City plan to be active in the January transfer window.

City host Everton in Boxing Day’s early kick-off and come into the game on a run of just one win in 12 matches. 

The reigning champions have looked a shadow of their former selves, beset by injury problems and an ageing squad.

The loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to a likely season-ending ACL rupture is something the team have shown no signs of recovering from and Guardiola accepts they need reinforcements.

Speaking to Amazon Prime Video Sport ahead of Thursday’s game, he said: ‘we have to, if we can, we have to add players definitely.

‘We struggle, especially in the back, in the middle. Saying that, i don’t know it’s going to happen. 

City hosted Everton in Boxing Day’s early kick-off on a run of just one win in 12 matches

‘In transfer window, in winter time, it’s not easy but everybody is aware. I think even the players ask that we add some players please.’

Guardiola’s comments came a day after he insisted that City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is offering him unequivocal backing amid the club’s worst run for 21 years.

City headed into Thursday’s clash at the Etihad having lost nine of their past 12 matches in all competitions.

Guardiola — who signed a new contract last month — has discussed his own role in the club’s dip with Al Mubarak, with the pair in weekly dialogue.

‘I feel incredibly supported,’ Guardiola said. ‘We both know it, when there’s a moment something wrong happens, then we are going to take decisions.

‘We say, ‘OK, the situation is what it is and what we have to do to improve the team and come on, let’s go to the next one’, and it’s always been positive.’