Guardiola rules Rodri out of City's opener
Rodri has "no chance" of featuring for Manchester City in its opening Premier League fixture against Chelsea, coach Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
The midfielder was integral to City winning an unprecedented fourth Premier League title last season, playing a team-high 2,937 minutes in the top flight.
He scored eight goals and set up a further nine before then playing a key role in Spain's success at UEFA Euro 2024.
However, Rodri, who returned to training late after an extended break because of his exploits with La Roja in Germany, will not be ready to play for City at Stamford Bridge.
"No chance," replied Guardiola when asked if Rodri would feature, with City's manager having also said: "He is in training. He feels good."
While Rodri's absence has not prevented City from loaning out Kalvin Phillips to Ipswich Town, the defending champion will be hoping the 28-year-old is back in the fold soon.
Rodri has not been involved in a Premier League defeat since a loss to Tottenham Hotspur in February 2023.
Since then, City has played 55 matches in the competition, with Rodri featuring in 50 of those.
With Rodri in the team, City has claimed 41 wins (82 per cent) and nine draws. Yet Guardiola's team has lost four of the five games Rodri has not featured in, winning just one (20 per cent). Its points per game drops from 2.6 with Rodri in the side in that time, to 0.6 without.
City's contingent of England players to have featured in the UEFA Euro 2024 final – John Stones, Phil Foden and Kyle Walker – are available, although Guardiola does not think they will play the whole match.
He said: "I'm pretty sure they won’t be ready for 90 minutes, maybe yes, maybe 15 minutes."
"The important thing is everybody is back and except for Oscar [Bobb] the rest are OK."
