Why isn’t Rodri playing for Manchester City against Chelsea in the Premier League today?

Manchester City made history in the Premier League last season, becoming the first team to win four consecutive titles. Pep Guardiola’s side go into 2024/25 hoping to make it five in a row, although they will kick off the campaign against Chelsea without key midfielder Rodri, for many the most important player in the team.

Rodri’s injury issues in Euro 2024 final

Over the summer, the 28-year-old starred for Spain as they won the 2024 European Championship, in which he was named the player of the tournament. However, he was forced off at halftime in the final against England with what appeared to be a knee issue.

In his pre-match press conference before Sunday’s fixture against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Guardiola revealed that Rodri hadn’t done any preseason training at all and therefore wouldn’t be available for selection against The Blues.

“He didn’t train. I didn’t see him yet. I think he feels good but he has to return to training. We’ll see when he starts to move his body how he feels. No chance [of him playing against Chelsea],” stated the former Barcelona coach.

Rodri’s incredible impact at Manchester City

Since moving to City in the summer of 2019, the Spaniard has won four Premier League titles, only failing to lift the trophy in his first season with the club.

He scored the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final and has also won two League Cups, the FA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Rodri memorably went 74 games and 475 days without losing while playing for Manchester City, not including the penalty shootout against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals. The run came to an end in last season’s FA Cup final, when Manchester United defeated their city rivals at Wembley.