Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that star midfielder Rodri will miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with Everton due to a hamstring issue, and he remains unsure when the Spain international will be fit to return.
Rodri limped off just 22 minutes into City’s 2-0 win over Brentford before the international break and later admitted he had "felt a little bit in the hamstring." Speaking ahead of the trip to Goodison Park, Guardiola provided little clarity on a comeback timeline.
“I don’t know when he’ll be back,” Guardiola said. “We have to wait and see how he progresses.”
The 29-year-old Ballon d'Or winner suffered a major knee injury early last season that sidelined him for most of the campaign. Although he returned late in the season and featured at the Club World Cup, Guardiola revealed in August that Rodri had suffered an additional setback during pre-season.
He has made only seven appearances in all competitions this campaign and completed 90 minutes just twice, with Guardiola stressing the club are managing his minutes carefully.
“We’ve tried to be gentle with him after everything he went through,” Guardiola added.
There was some positive news for Guardiola, who confirmed that Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovačić is available for selection for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri have returned to training and are, according to Guardiola, "close to a comeback."
As Guardiola prepares for yet another Premier League campaign at the helm, he insists he remains as driven as ever. Now into his ninth season at Manchester City, he has already secured six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League.
Guardiola is currently the Premier League’s longest-serving manager and will face Everton boss David Moyes—who has managed over 700 games in the competition—on Saturday.
After going seven games unbeaten across all competitions, City are looking to improve consistency following a trophyless 2023/24 season, their first in eight years.
“I still have the energy to help the players have a better season than last,” Guardiola said. “It’s not job done. It feels like unfinished business, and that is why I am here.”
Guardiola also played down title talk, focusing instead on steady progress.
“I never sit here in November and say we’ll win this or that. Before the break we were far from the top, now we’re closer. The target is to compete and improve every game.”
Manchester City head into the weekend with growing optimism but lingering fitness concerns. Without Rodri, their midfield balance will once again be tested—something Everton will be eager to exploit.
