Pep Guardiola press conference: Rodri fitness update ahead of Sunderland clash | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke to the media on Friday afternoon ahead of his side’s Premier League meeting with Sunderland on Saturday.

The Blues have been shipping goals for fun since the November international break but have managed to get over the line in recent wins against Leeds United and Fulham, with Phil Foden making ab key difference for his boyhood club in both narrow triumphs.

It was goals galore last time out for Manchester City at Craven Cottage as Pep Guardiola’s men led a four goal lead turn into a slender one goal advantage to earn a nervous 5-4 win over Fulham to keep up the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Manchester City can ill-afford many further slip-ups in the title race as they come up against an Arsenal side that are showing no signs of weakness in their ambition to lift a first Premier League title since 2004.

Rodri and Mateo Kovacic have been missing for the Blues in recent weeks, with the former very close to a return to action after recuperating from a hamstring injury sustained in a 1-0 win over Brentford in early October.

Kovacic underwent surgery on his heel in October and is expected to remain on the sidelines until the spring of 2026, with Nico Gonzalez enjoying a run of regular starts in the number six midfield role in establish himself as a regular first-team feature.

Guardiola invited huge criticism for making 10 changes to Manchester City’s starting XI against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League last week – a decision that came back to haunt the Catalan in the form of a 2-0 defeat for his side at the Etihad Stadium.

City’s attackers have been running the show in recent months and there is a growing concern that the Blues are letting in too many goals for a side expected to challenge for the Premier League title – underpinned best by juxtaposing Arsenal’s airtight backline under Mikel Arteta.

Speaking to the press ahead of Manchester City’s league clash against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon, Guardiola confirmed that the visit of the Black Cats will also come too soon for the Spain international.

“He’s getting better. If you are happy with my answer, he’s getting better,” said Guardiola on Rodri’s fitness.

“I don’t know how long (Rodri will be out for) but he’s at the stage that in a few years he’ll be ready.”

There is genuinely no telling at this point on when Manchester City fans can expect to see Rodri back in action, with Guardiola and his coaching staff expected to be taking huge caution with phasing the Ballon d’Or winning star back to the pitch.