August 16th 2024.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, is facing some challenges as he prepares for the opening game of the Premier League season against Chelsea this weekend. One of his key players, Rodri, will be unavailable due to a knee injury. This is a major setback for the defending champions as they face a tough opponent in their first game of the season at Stamford Bridge.
Guardiola confirmed that Rodri, who suffered the injury during Spain's Euro 2024 final victory over England, has not been able to train since returning from his summer break. The manager expressed his disappointment and said, "He didn't train and I haven't seen him yet. I believe he is feeling good, but we will have to wait and see how he feels once he starts moving his body. Unfortunately, he won't be able to play against Chelsea."
The absence of Rodri is a big blow for City, as they have not lost a single game in the Premier League when he has played in the last 50 matches. In fact, they have only lost three games last season when he was not available. It is clear that he is a crucial player for the team, and his absence will be felt on the field.
But that's not the only setback for Guardiola this week. He also revealed that Oscar Bobb, a rising star in the team, has suffered a leg break during a training session. The manager said, "It was a big impact on his injury, and unfortunately, he will have surgery this afternoon. We hope for a quick recovery and to have him back in three or four months. We are all saddened by this news because he was having an incredible pre-season. We can't wait to see him back on the field."
When asked if he will be looking to sign new players after losing Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid and Bobb's injury, Guardiola replied, "It's possible, but we will have to wait and see. I am happy with the squad I have, but we never know what can happen in the market. We will see how things go. I am prepared for any situation, and we may add some players before the end of the transfer window in January."
On a positive note, John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Phil Foden, who missed the Community Shield clash with Manchester United, are back in training and could feature in the game against Chelsea. However, Jack Grealish remains a doubt due to a hamstring issue.
It's clear that Guardiola and his team have some challenges to overcome, but they are determined to start the season strong and defend their title. With Rodri's injury and Bobb's setback, the manager will have to make some adjustments to his starting lineup. But he remains confident in the squad and hopes for a successful season ahead.
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