Manchester City hit with Rodri injury setback ahead of Chelsea opener
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Manchester City's Rodri, a key player of the team, during a victory parade last season after winning the Premier League.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Manchester City will be without Rodri for the start of their English Premier League title defence, after Pep Guardiola revealed that the midfielder has been ruled out of their opener at Chelsea on Aug 18.
The influential 28-year-old has only just returned to training after being forced off injured at half-time during Spain’s 2-1 win over England in the Euro 2024 final on July 14.
While English trio Phil Foden, John Stones and Kyle Walker hope to feature at Stamford Bridge after their post-Euro break, Rodri has not been cleared to return to action.
Asked on Aug 16 if he could be involved against Chelsea, Guardiola said: “No chance. But he is in training. He feels good. We’ll have to see how he feels after training.”
Rodri’s absence is an early blow to City’s bid to win a fifth successive Premier League title.
He was outstanding at the Euro in Germany and was named the tournament’s best player, scoring once in the 4-1 win over Georgia in the round of 16.
Guardiola’s men would love to make a strong start to their title defence in west London, but the Spanish manager admitted fitness issues could hamper them on the opening weekend.
Foden, Stones and Walker are not fully fit after returning to training only in midweek following their holidays.
“They won’t be ready for 90 minutes, maybe 15 minutes. The important thing is everybody is back and except for Oscar (Bobb) the rest are OK,” Guardiola added.
The 21-year-old Bobb has undergone surgery to repair a fractured bone in his leg following a non-contact training ground incident in midweek.
Guardiola expects the young Norwegian winger to be sidelined for up to four months.
“Unfortunately, he had a big impact and got injured. Hopefully, it (surgery) will go well and he will be back in three or four months. We are so sad for him,” he said.
Bobb’s setback follows the recent departure of Argentinian forward Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid and Guardiola said he could be forced into the transfer market for replacements.
“Maybe or maybe not, we will see,” the City boss said.
“I’m really pleased with the squad I have, we will see.
“I’m set. We will see what happens in the market.
“We can continue to January in that way, or maybe we will add some players.”
Guardiola also wished Englishman Kalvin Phillips well in his move to newly promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town on a season-long loan.
The defensive midfielder started just six games for City after arriving from Leeds in 2022 and then joined West Ham United on loan in January but played only 10 games there.
“You have to have minutes – play, play, play,” Guardiola said. “Maybe there is a chance (for Phillips) to come back here in the future.” AFP, REUTERS
