August 16, (THEWILL) – Manchester City will begin their English Premier League title defence without key midfielder Rodri. Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the Spaniard is unavailable for Sunday’s match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Rodri is still recovering after being substituted at half-time during Spain’s Euro 2024 final victory over England last month. England internationals Phil Foden, John Stones and Kyle Walker may feature but are not fully fit after their post-tournament break.
Guardiola stated they might only manage 15 minutes of playing time. The City boss also revealed that young Norwegian winger Oscar Bobb will be out for 3-4 months following surgery on a fractured leg bone.
These fitness issues present an early challenge for City as they aim for a fifth consecutive EPL title. Guardiola expressed satisfaction with his current squad but did not rule out potential signings before the transfer window closes, especially after Julian Alvarez’s departure to Atletico Madrid.
City’s depth will be tested as they start their campaign against a Chelsea side looking to improve on last season’s disappointing 12th-place finish. The match at Stamford Bridge will provide an early indicator of both teams’ prospects for the 2024/2025 season.
Despite the absences, City remain favourites to retain their crown. However, their ability to cope without Rodri and integrate returning players will be crucial in the opening weeks. The champions will need to adapt quickly as they pursue further domestic success.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
