Manchester City has uncertain about Philfoden’s return before the wolf collision, and there are many injuries concerns heading into the first Premier League match of the season
There will be a few days left before the Premier League reappears, and Pep Guardiola is already left to sniff the unpleasant sweat to choose from in his starting lineup. Manchester City hasn’t gotten off to a smooth start with the club’s aim to put the disappointing 2024/25 season behind them.
The club took on Palermo in their final friendly before facing the wolves next week, but Guardiola was forced to leave four players at home. Phil Foden was on the no-fly list by Rodri, Josco Gvaldior and Claudio Echerli, but Mateo Kovasic traveled but remains injured. Foden’s return is not guaranteed for the opening game of the season, but the ankle issues are not serious.
“He has an ankle issues so we didn’t take a risk,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know (if he’s going to play against a wolf). It’s just a knock – it was painful, but he’s ready when he’s ready.”
But that is the least of the problems with Catalonian coaches in cities already at the heart of the midfield. Just a day after Spain’s Lynchpin Rodri confirmed he would miss the first month of the season, Guardiola revealed he was set to face another two months after Kovacic was expected to return in time for kickoff with the wolves.
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The Croatian Achilles problem could shut him out until October and leave Guardiola with the option at the center of the field after Rodri’s set-off. Nico Gonzalez, previously labelled “Mini Rodri,” will be a logical substitute, but he only performed once at the Club World Cup.
“There are three,” Guardiola said of his position. “Koba was injured until September or October, and Rodri is back six months later and has Nico. Others can play there, but they can attack more.
“Rodri is getting better, but he has suffered a major injury in his final match against Al Hilal and for the last five or six weeks,” Guardiola explained Rodri’s timeline.
“He’s training now and it’s better in the last two or three days. Hopefully an international break will make him really, really healthy.
“Hopefully in the game (before that) he can play for a few minutes, but the important thing is that he doesn’t feel any pain because he doesn’t want to go back and get injured.
“We try hard to avoid that, but he’s training with us for the last 2-3 days, which is a good thing.”
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