Manchester City first-team duo absent from matchday squad against Chelsea

Savinho and Nico Gonzalez are missing from Manchester City’s matchday squad against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening.

Guardiola has made three changes to his starting XI from a midweek stalemate with Sunderland as Ballon d’Or winner Rodri makes his first start in three months, with City looking to return to winning ways after a frustrating draw in the east Midlands.

Arsenal held off a resolute Bournemouth challenge on Saturday evening to maintain their imperious form and extend their advantage over City to seven points, with Aston Villa also seeing off Nottingham Forest to rise to second in the Premier League table.

Manchester City saw their winning streak halted by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Thursday will be keen to cut Arsenal’s lead back to four points – as they come up against a Chelsea side who have recently relieved Enzo Maresca of his duties as head coach.

Ahead of Sunday’s 17:30 UK kick-off between City and Chelsea, it has been confirmed that Savinho and Nico Gonzalez are both missing from the home matchday squad due to injury.

Manchester City’s official channels have cited that Savinho is ‘injured’ – alongside Oscar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic – while Gonzalez and John Stones are ‘not fully fit’ to be in contention against the visitors from west London.

Gonzalez has thrived in midfield amid Rodri’s injury troubles in recent months, establishing himself as a capable stand-in for his 29-year-old compatriot as Manchester City recovered from their early season slump to mark a strong finish to 2025.

The 2025 January signing from Porto was taken off at half-time against Sunderland, with Rodri playing the second half to get some minutes in the tank to prepare him for what would be a full start against Chelsea.

Savinho also suffered an injury to go off against Sunderland, allowing Jeremy Doku a welcome chance to come off the bench and mark his return from injury – having missed the second half of December 2025 to injury.

The opening of the January transfer window has seen speculation resurface around the future of Savinho, who attracted strong interest from Tottenham last summer and was believed to be open to moving to north London amid reservations over his prospects at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City hope to retain the Brazilian winger beyond January, having tied the 21-year-old to an improved, long-term deal in October 2025, though the impending arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in the coming weeks could spring up the chance of an exit.

City cannot afford more dropped points as they compete with a formidable Arsenal side for what would be a fifth Premier League title in six seasons should the Blues go on and pip the Gunners once again come the summer.