Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea have the unenviable task of taking on the perennial Premier League champions on opening weekend, but the Blues will be buoyed by a key Manchester City absence.
Pep Guardiola acolyte Maresca takes on his former boss at Stamford Bridge on Sunday having overseen a tough start to his Chelsea tenure. The Italian’s squad remains inflated and questions remain over the club’s squad building, but Maresca is adamant that he’s building something for the long-term.
Thus, Sunday’s clash to open up their 2024/25 season will not define Maresca’s reign at the Bridge. A victory over City would, however, undoubtedly get a demanding fanbase immediately on side.
Chelsea, who played City close on three occasions last term, will take courage in knowing they won’t be facing up against sky blue lynchpin Rodri in west London.
The man that doesn’t lose football matches eventually did lose a football match to end 2023/24. Rodri tasted defeat just once last season as City lifted their fourth-straight Premier League title, and Guardiola’s side notably struggled in his absence.
City’s points-per-game on average is 2.38 with Rodri in the side, but a mere 1.72 when he’s absent. The Spaniard has missed 18 league games since joining the club and City have lost seven of them.
The stats point towards a tricky outing for Guardiola’s side on Sunday with the City manager confirming Rodri’s absence. The midfielder was withdrawn at half-time of the Euro 2024 final on 14 July through injury and has not featured in pre-season at all.
Guardiola said there was “no chance” Rodri would play against Maresca’s Blues.
“We’ll have to start him training and see how he feels when he starts to move his body,” Guardiola said before Sunday’s game.
While Rodri’s injury setback is only thought to be minor, his pre-season absence means the midfielder will have to be eased back in. A return to training seems possible ahead of City’s second game of the season at home to Ipswich Town, but there’s no guaranteed Rodri will feature next weekend.
City should be able to cope without Rodri next weekend, but Pep would want to have his key midfield cog available for West Ham away on 31 August.
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