Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola provided a key update on the fitness of Phil Foden and Rodri ahead of the Premier League’s start next weekend.
Guardiola Updates on Foden and Rodri Fitness Ahead of Season Opener
Both players stayed in Manchester while the squad travelled to face Palermo on Saturday. Guardiola confirmed Foden sustained a minor ankle knock, prompting caution.
“Phil was doing really good but he had a problem with a knock on his ankle that’s why as a precaution we did it,” Guardiola explained.
He expressed optimism Foden could feature against Wolves: “Phil, hopefully, it depends on the problem but it’s a long week so hopefully.”
Rodri’s situation requires more careful management following his serious knee injury last season and a subsequent issue after the Club World Cup.
The midfielder only recently returned to full training. “Rodri’s getting better… He’s training right now and in the last two or three days is better,” Guardiola stated.
However, Guardiola ruled out Rodri playing a full 90 minutes immediately, targeting the international break for full fitness.
“90 minutes for Rodri I don’t think so,” he said.
“Hopefully maybe the international break is when he will be really really fit. We will try desperately to avoid that [him coming back and getting injured again].”
Guardiola also noted midfielder Mateo Kovacic remains sidelined after Achilles surgery, likely returning in September or October.
With Rodri’s minutes limited and Kovacic out, Guardiola identified Nico, Ilkay Gundogan, and Tijjani Reijnders as potential options for the defensive midfield role, though he sees Gundogan and Reijnders as more naturally attacking.
The manager stressed the need for squad depth, highlighting the intense fixture schedule after September:
“I saw the schedule in my office and I said after September its every three days, every three days so at the end we will need players.”
City fans will hope for positive news on Foden and a steady return for Rodri as the title defence begins.
