Manchester City suffer second major injury blow as 257-appearance star ruled out of Chelsea clash

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that Rodri will miss Sunday’s clash against Chelsea in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola’s side begin their Premier League title defence against Chelsea in west London on Sunday afternoon, as Manchester City bid to win a fifth consecutive league title during the 2024/25 campaign.

Manchester City, who won the FA Community Shield on penalties against Manchester United last Saturday, will be without both Rodri and Oscar Bobb for this weekend’s visit to Stamford Bridge in a major double injury.

Rodri was forced off at half-time during Spain’s European Championship final victory over England in Berlin last month, suffering a hamstring injury during the clash in Germany.

Revealing that Rodri would miss Sunday’s clash against Chelsea, Guardiola said: “No chance [for Chelsea]. 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.”

The 28-year-old started 50 matches for Manchester City last season, and has been pivotal to the Blues’ recent success under Guardiola, playing 257 times since signing from Atletico Madrid in 2019.

Manchester City are due to play matches against Chelsea, Ipswich Town and West Ham prior to the international break, when Rodri is also set to serve a one-match UEFA ban, following a charge in relation to Spain’s celebration of the European Championship.

Rodri’s injury is Manchester City’s second major fitness blow ahead of the start of the new campaign, after Oscar Bobb suffered a fractured leg in training at the City Football Academy, sidelining the forward for a number of months.

Bobb, who impressed during pre-season for Manchester City, is facing an initial three to four months on the sidelines, missing a number of matches for both club and country.