Rayan Cherki of France shakes hands with Nico O'Reilly of England prior the 2026 FIFA World Cup bronze-final match between France and England
Rayan Cherki and Nico O'Reilly have returned to Manchester City training
View Image
A clutch of Manchester City's World Cup stars return to training at the Etihad today as the countdown to the Community Shield clash with Arsenal continues - but Rodri was not among them.
The Blues returned from their summer tour of Asia immediately after Sunday's 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid before the squad were given a couple of days off to adjust back to life in the UK.
City were back in training on Wednesday with six senior stars returning to the CFA after post-World Cup breaks. Those players who went as far as the last eight in North America were given the summer tour off meaning several senior stars are only joining Enzo Maresca's squad this week.
England trio Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly, Frenchman Rayan Cherki, Belgium's Jeremy Doku and Norway's Erling Haaland were all back in training on Wednesday ahead of the trip to Cardiff to take on Arsenal this Sunday.
Rodri was not among the returning Blues with the World Cup winner due back at City on Friday. The midfielder is set to leave the Etihad this summer with a move to Barcelona in the offing should the La Liga giants match City's £60million asking price.
The 30-year-old midfielder has expressed an interest in joining the Catalan club but the Blues want to obtain a fee that reflects the worth of the Spaniard, who was named the best player at the World Cup this summer.
Enzo Maresca confirmed last week that Rodri, who underwent minor back surgery following the World Cup, was due back at the club on Friday.
It remains to be seen whether Rodri does return or if he is granted further time away from the club to try and wrap up a move to Barca.
New signing Geronimo Rulli has linked up with the Blues, with his long-agreed switch to City being confirmed on Wednesday. Jack Grealish, who was left out of the tour squad as he continues to work his way back to full fitness, spent last week training in Mallorca and is still seemingly set to leave City having spent last season on loan at Everton, before injury prematurely ended his campaign.
City play Arsenal on Sunday in the Community Shield before kicking off their Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth on August 23.