Pep Guardiola delivers an update on Man City quartet Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Pep Guardiola has delivered an update on Man City quartet Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
All four Citizens players were involved in the Euro 2024 final between England and champions Spain earlier this summer, with Rodri celebrating glory as Foden, Walker and Stones all settled for runner-up medals.
Several of Man City’s senior stars who represented their country over the summer, including Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Manuel Akanji, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Matheus Nunes, were involved in last weekend’s Community Shield triumph on penalties against rivals Manchester United.
However, Guardiola was unable to call upon Rodri, Foden, Walker or Stones as they had not returned to training before the Wembley victory having been granted an extended break over the summer.
The Citizens boss has since provided an update on the quartet and has revealed whether they will be available for Sunday’s Premier League trip to the capital to face Enzo Maresca‘s Chelsea.
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Rodri ruled out, Foden, Walker, Stones to be assessed
Asked at a press conference on Friday if all four players are available for selection, Guardiola said: “I don’t know. Just two, three training sessions. They arrived fit. In professional world the players take care even in the holidays.
“So we’ll see. Today, tomorrow and Sunday we will see the lineup. But I’m pretty sure they are ready maybe not for 90 minutes, maybe yes maybe for a few minutes.
“[On Rodri] I don’t know, I didn’t see him yet. We have to start training, we will see when he moves, his body and how he feels.
Asked if Rodri will be selected in the matchday squad on Sunday, Guardiola simply replied: “No chance.”
Guardiola has also confirmed that Oscar Bobb will be sidelined for ‘three or four months’ after sustaining a fracture to a bone in his leg which requires surgery.
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Who could replace Rodri, Bobb in Man City lineup?
The absence of Rodri comes as a major blow to Man City, who heavily rely on their star lynchpin and enjoyed an exceptional 74-game unbeaten run with the Spaniard, which came to an end in the FA Cup final loss against Man United last season.
Without the presence of Rodri against Chelsea, Guardiola will likely select ex-Blues midfielder Mateo Kovacic in a deep-lying role, while either Bernardo Silva or Kevin De Bruyne could provide support for the Croatian in a deeper midfield position.
As for Bobb, who was hoping to start at Stamford Bridge after making a positive impression in pre-season, his absence opens the door for new signing Savinho to potentially make his competitive debut for the Citizens after joining from sister club Troyes earlier this summer.
The Brazil international scored nine goals and provided 10 assists in 37 La Liga games on loan at Girona last season and is comfortable playing on either wing, like Jeremy Doku who is another in contention to start on Sunday.
Jack Grealish has emerged as a doubt after missing the Community Shield with a knock, but he may be fit to return to matchday squad against Chelsea and provide another wide option for Guardiola.
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