Pep Guardiola: Key man Rodri to miss Manchester City's Premier League opener at Chelsea

Winger Bobb set for lengthy spell on sidelines after fracturing his leg

Rodri is close to a first-team return at Man City after being injured in the Euro 2024 final. EPA

Manchester City will be without key midfielder Rodri when they begin their 2024/25 Premier League campaign at Chelsea on Sunday.

Boss Pep Guardiola said the Spanish international was back in training but had "no chance" of being involved at Stamford Bridge this weekend. Rodri, 28, was forced off at half-time during La Roja's Euro 2024 final victory over England but is expected to be available again for City imminently.

Guardiola said: "[Rodri] is in training, I don't know, I haven't seen him yet. He feels good. We'll have to see how he feels after training. No chance [on the squad for Sunday]."

The City boss also provided an update on winger Oscar Bobb, who started the Community Shield victory over Manchester United but has since fractured his leg in training. Bobb looked ready to play a bigger role in the first-team after impressing in pre-season but is now set for a spell on the sidelines.

“We are so sad for him,” Guardiola said of the 21-year-old Norway international, who is likely to be out for up to four months. “Not because of his incredible pre-season, that doesn’t matter, but because any time there is a long injury.”

With Bobb's injury following Julian Alvarez's sale to Atletico Madrid reports have suggested City will dip into the transfer market to bolster their attacking options, but Guardiola said: "Maybe or maybe not, we will see. 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."

On Sunday, Guardiola will go up against one of his former assistants in the shape of new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who last season guided Leicester City to promotion to the Premier League but has been hired to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.

Earlier in his career Maresca spent a spell on the coaching staff at the Etihad Stadium, and Guardiola has backed him to succeed at Chelsea – if he is given time.

"Happy to see him again, we saw him a few weeks ago in the States and we're looking forward to it again," said Guardiola.

"The job Enzo did at Leicester belongs to him and his staff. My influence is zero on Leicester getting promoted again. I didn't score a goal or make any saves. I give info and they learn. It's on both sides and the success of the people together belongs absolutely to them.

"My advice is to give him time and it will work. All managers need time. I don't know if Chelsea is the place to do this, but it will work if they give him time. This is my feeling."

Phillips makes loan switch to Ipswich Town

Newly promoted Ipswich Town on Friday confirmed the signing of Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips on a season-long loan.

The 28-year-old England star, who has 31 caps for the Three Lions, made 10 appearances for West Ham in a disappointing loan spell last season after struggling for opportunities at City.

Phillips has made only six starts for City since completing a £42m move from Leeds United in July 2022.

Speaking to Ipswich's club media, Phillips said: "This is a day I’ve been waiting a number of weeks for now and I’m very happy to be here.

"I’ve had some great conversations with players I know here and also with the manager, who I have obviously heard a lot about, and I’m excited to be here and be part of his team, playing how he likes to play the game."

Phillips added: "I want to play as many games as possible, enjoy playing football again and help the team win as many games as possible in the Premier League."