Rodri injury setback hits City early title bid

Rodri is not fit for Manchester City's first three league games as he recovers from a fresh injury setback.

Rodri injury setback dents City's title hopes ahead of Wolves clash

Pep Guardiola confirmed that Rodri will miss Manchester City's opening three Premier League fixtures as he recovers from a fresh injury setback suffered at the Club World Cup. Rodri previously tore his ACL last September and only returned in May, a swing factor in City’s struggles last season when he was unavailable. The absence helped Arsenal push City close and allowed Liverpool to surge ahead, shaping a tight title race. City had hoped Rodri would start the season refreshed, but his latest setback means he is unlikely to be ready for September.

Rodri has been doing individual work and has taken part in recent training, yet he was not included in the squad to travel for a weekend friendly and doubts remain over his fitness going forward. Guardiola said the midfielder could feature in the opening trio of fixtures against Wolves, Tottenham and Brighton, but warned that the best version of Rodri may not return until after the international break. “Rodri is getting better but he had a big injury in the last game against Al Hilal. He has trained better in the last few days, hopefully after the international break is when he will be really fit,” Guardiola said. Rodri is one of several City players still sidelined, with Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol and Claudio Echeverri also not fit. City travel to Wolves for their first league game of the season.

The setback adds pressure on City to balance risk with response. Rodri is a keystone of Guardiola’s control in midfield, and missing him early limits City’s ability to dictate games at a high level. The situation tests Guardiola’s depth and could influence how the club approaches squad rotation and recruitment as the campaign begins. It also sharpens the storyline around City’s title bid, intensifying scrutiny on how well they can cope without their midfield architect in the opening weeks and whether Arsenal or Liverpool can capitalize. The broader trend is clear: in the early months, fitness and time to integrate match sharpness often decide the difference between a title defense and a stumble.

Highlights

City faces a turning point as the season begins, with depth and timing now under the spotlight.