- World Well being Group: Chelsea vs Manchester Metropolis
- What: English Premier League
- The place: Stamford Bridge, London, UK
- when: Sunday, August 18, 4:30 pm native time (15:30 GMT)
- Learn how to comply with: Al Jazeera Sports activities will present all preparation and full commentary for the match
Manchester Metropolis will miss Rodri of their Premier League title protection after Guardiola revealed he has been dominated out of Sunday’s opener in opposition to Chelsea.
The influential 28-year-old has solely simply returned to coaching after being pressured off at half-time of Spain’s 2-1 win over England within the Euro 2024 ultimate final month.
Whereas England trio Phil Foden, John Stones and Kyle Walker hope to characteristic at Stamford Bridge after a post-European break, Rodri has but to be cleared to return to motion.
Requested earlier than the sport if Rodri would play in opposition to Chelsea, Guardiola informed reporters: “No probability.
“He’s coaching. I do not know, I have not seen him but. He feels good. Now we have to see how he feels after coaching.
Rodri’s absence is an early blow to Metropolis’s bid for a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Manchester Metropolis are hoping to get off to an excellent begin of their title protection in west London, however Guardiola admits health points may hamper them on the opening weekend.
Foden, Stones and Walker solely returned to coaching in mid-week after the vacation and usually are not but totally recovered.
“I am fairly certain they will not be prepared for 90 minutes, possibly, possibly 15,” Guardiola stated.
“The vital factor is that everybody is again, besides Oscar [Bobb]every thing else is ok.
Bobb is scheduled to bear surgical procedure on Friday to restore a damaged leg following a non-contact apply subject incident on Wednesday.
Guardiola expects the younger Norwegian winger to be out for as much as 4 months.
“Sadly, he was very affected and injured,” Guardiola stated. “He will have surgical procedure this afternoon.
“Hopefully every thing goes properly and he will likely be again in three or 4 months. We really feel very unhappy for him.
Bobb’s setback comes after Argentina striker Julian Alvarez lately left Atletico Madrid, with Guardiola saying he could also be pressured to enter the switch market to discover a substitute.
“Possibly, possibly not, we’ll see,” the Spaniard stated. “I am very pleased with my workforce. We’ll see. I am prepared.
“We’ll see what occurs out there. We will proceed this manner till January or possibly we add some gamers.
Manchester Metropolis should watch the hole as they journey to London to face Chelsea
In the meantime, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insists it is just a matter of time earlier than his rebuilt facet problem Manchester Metropolis for the Premier League title.
Maresca, recruited from Leicester Metropolis on the finish of the season, is the sixth supervisor at struggling Chelsea since Todd Boly’s consortium purchased the membership in 2022.
The Blues trailed champions Manchester Metropolis by 28 factors final season and endured a turbulent summer time that noticed Boly embark on a spending spree that left Maresca’s squad dangerously bloated.
After main Leicester Metropolis to promotion from the English Championship final season, Maresca will expertise the baptism of fireplace in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League.
However the 44-year-old Italian, who was on Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola’s teaching employees earlier than a season at Leicester, believes Chelsea would make life uncomfortable for his previous membership if given time. .
Maresca stated: “For me, I personally assume it is only a matter of time earlier than we make an enormous distinction to the opposite groups that dominate English soccer.”
“A membership with the identical supervisor for 9, eight years. We labored with the identical supervisor for a month.
“Over time we will certainly shut the hole. Hopefully that may occur quickly.
Metropolis’s final go to to Stamford Bridge in November final yr resulted in a 4-4 draw, with former Cityzen participant Cole Palmer scoring a late equalizer for the Blues.
The match was one among two attracts within the league and ended Pep Guardiola’s facet’s six-game successful streak in opposition to the west Londoners. Previous to this, Chelsea’s final victory was the 2021 Champions League ultimate, when Kai Havertz, who was enjoying for Arsenal, scored the one aim of the sport.
In truth, that sport marked Chelsea’s third consecutive victory over Manchester Metropolis that season, together with an FA Cup tie, however Metropolis gained the league match 3-1 within the English capital that season. , younger Phil Foden was additionally one of many scorers.
chelsea workforce information
Captain Reece James, who has been suspended for Chelsea’s first three video games of the season, can also be receiving remedy for a hamstring damage.
The Blues’ first-team squad has moved previous 50 gamers after a collection of summer time signings, with Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor more likely to make their debuts on Sunday.
England midfielder Connor Gallagher’s proposed transfer to Atletico Madrid was shelved this week and he has been coaching individually from the squad and won’t be thought-about for choice.
manchester metropolis information
Manchester Metropolis will likely be with out Rodri, who’s on the high of the listing to overlook the season opener after the Spanish star suffered a hamstring damage within the 2024 Euro 2024 ultimate in opposition to England.
Oscar Bobb is one other participant confirmed to be out with a damaged leg, which means he’ll miss the primary three to 4 months of the season
Jack Greeley continues to be uncertain after lacking the Group Protect by way of damage, whereas the health of England trio Foden, Stones and Walker can also be in query.
head to head
This would be the 177th assembly between the 2 golf equipment. Chelsea have gained 69 video games whereas Manchester Metropolis have gained 65.
The primary assembly occurred in 1907 and resulted in a 2-2 draw within the previous First Division West London fixtures.
The final time they met was within the FA Cup semi-finals in Could, Manchester Metropolis gained 1-0.
