Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City can challenge for the Premier League title if Rodri can regain his top form post-injury. The Ballon d’Or winner of 2024 was sidelined for most of the previous season due to a knee surgery and has faced fitness setbacks this term.
City, currently trailing Arsenal by six points after losing three of their first nine league matches, have shown resilience by winning ten out of their last eleven games across all competitions, including a strong start in the Champions League and progression to the League Cup quarter-finals.
Rodri is set to make his comeback after a month’s absence as City prepare to face Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Guardiola expressed optimism about Rodri’s contribution, stating, “He will be ready to assist us. Whether he starts remains uncertain, but we hope to have him in the squad.”
Despite a recent setback in the title race with a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa, Guardiola confirmed that Erling Haaland is fit for the upcoming fixture. The manager acknowledged that while City is not at their peak performance level yet, they are approaching it steadily.
Guardiola emphasized his belief in Rodri’s potential impact on the team’s defensive solidity, stating, “If Rodri can perform at his best, we will be a formidable side to face.” He remained cautiously optimistic about City’s title chances, highlighting their positive trajectory since the Club World Cup in the United States.
City sits two points behind Bournemouth, who are enjoying an eight-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League. Guardiola praised the Cherries for their strategic transfers, which saw key defenders Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen, and Illia Zabarnyi move to Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, for a total of over £150 million.
Impressed by Bournemouth’s organizational structure and consistent philosophy, Guardiola commended their cohesion across the club hierarchy, management, and players, recognizing them as a formidable opponent in the league.