“It’s sad” “He’s out of Chelsea clash” – Pep Guardiola confirms Man city key man out of Chelsea clash
Manager Pep Guardiola said that midfield lynchpin Rodri will miss Manchester City’s opening Premier League matchup against Chelsea on Sunday. This means that a key member of the team will not be starting for the Magpies at Stamford Bridge.
A key component of City’s success, Rodri hobbled off with a possible knee injury during halftime of Spain’s triumph over England in the Euro 2024 final.
Since coming back to Manchester following a prolonged summer vacation, the 28-year-old has not taken part in any training sessions, which has City supporters worried about his fitness.
Guardiola addressed the situation, stating, “He didn’t train. I didn’t see him yet. I think he feels good, but we will see when he starts to move his body how he feels. But no chance [for Chelsea].”
The absence of Rodri, who has been pivotal in the heart of City’s midfield, poses a significant challenge for the defending champions as they kick off their title defense against a strengthened Chelsea side.
Rodri’s impact on the team cannot be overstated. City have not lost any of the last 50 Premier League matches in which the Spanish international has featured since a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in February 2023, winning 49 and drawing just nine.
Last season, all three of City’s league defeats occurred when Rodri was unavailable, highlighting his importance to the team’s stability and success.
With Rodri sidelined, Guardiola will need to explore alternative midfield options to fill the void left by one of his most dependable players.
The clash at Stamford Bridge now promises to be an even more intriguing battle, with City facing an early test of their depth and resilience.