Rodri is a doubt for this season's opening fixture.placeholder image
Rodri is a doubt for this season's opening fixture. | Getty Images
The early injury news surrounding Wolves and Man City ahead of this year’s curtain-raiser
Manchester City are looking forward to the start of their ninth season under the guidance of serial-winning manager Pep Guardiola.
City have lifted six Premier League titles since the former Barcelona coach arrived at the Etihad, including four successive wins from 2021 to 2024, marking the first time in the history of the English top flight that a team has achieved this feat.
However, last year was a year to forget for City’s incredibly high standards as the Sky Blues finished in third position and trophyless for the first time since Guardiola’s debut season in charge. There were humiliating defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal as well as a run of four consecutive losses in the league between November and December.
The Citizens never really looked capable of defending their league title last season, finishing 13 points behind eventual winners Liverpool. But they ended the season strongly to qualify for the Champions League and have since welcomed in plenty of talented stars, including Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders among others.
City will hope to start the season with all three points in a 2025/26 opening match against last season’s strugglers Wolves but are already sweating over the fitness of starman Rodri after his latest injury setback. Ahead of the game, we have rounded up the early injury news surrounding both teams.
Rodri - out
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri missed almost all of last season with an ACL injury in a devastating blow. He’s since returned to the pitch in the Club World Cup but is currently nursing a groin injury which is likely to rule him out until mid-September.
“He is getting better, but he had a big [groin] injury in the last game [of the CWC] vs Al-Hilal. He has trained better in the last few days. Hopefully, after the international break, he will be really fit. Hopefully, in these games, he can play some minutes, but what is important is that he doesn't have pain because we don't want Rodri coming back injured. We will try desperately to avoid that... He has been training the last two sessions with us, and that's good,” explained Pep Guardiola.
Mateo Kovacic - out
Croatian international Mateo Kovacic was one of a number of players that tried to fill Rodri’s boots during his absence last term. He had a calf injury which ruled him out of the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace and it remains unclear when he’ll be fit and available for selection.
Claudio Echeverri - out
The Argentine, signed from River Plate, who made his debut in the FA Cup final defeat, is still getting up to speed after sustaining an ankle injury in pre-season. He should be back in action by early September.
Phil Foden - doubt
The midfielder has an ankle problem which makes him a doubt for the opening game of the season.
Leon Chiwome - out
The youngster, who has only played three league matches for Wolves, sustained an ACL injury last year. He’s not expected to return until November at the earliest.
Yerson Mosquera - out
Yerson Mosquera, who played five matches in the Premier League last year, is fighting his way back to full fitness after sustaining a knee injury. It’s suspected he’ll be available for selection by mid to late September.
Fabio Silva - out
Portuguese international Fabio Silva has had a disrupted pre-season since returning from his loan spell at Las Palmas. He scored 10 goals in La Liga last year but has not trained with his Wolves teammates all summer due to a hamstring problem. It’s strongly reported that the 23-year-old will leave this summer amid mooted interest from Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma.
Jose Sa - doubt
Wolves shot-stopper Jose Sa is likely to be assessed ahead of kick-off. It’s reported he’s struggling with a head injury sustained in training.
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