Pep's squad gamble

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag made headlines on Thursday when he spoke about his team not being ready for Friday's Premier League opener against Fulham.

But Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola has underlined exactly the difficulties top-flight managers face in confirming influential midfielder Rodri will not be involved at Chelsea on Sunday.

Having played a key role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, Rodri did not return to training until Wednesday and Guardiola is not prepared to risk one of his key men even in a match as important as Chelsea away.

Guardiola is looking ahead to April, May and June, when City hope to be competing for all the major prizes and he knows that is the time when he will really need Rodri.

It is why he has a major decision to make over whether to sign anyone else before the transfer window closes.

With Oscar Bobb ruled out for up to four months with a leg fracture and Julian Alvarez sold to Atletico Madrid, City are still a player down, even accounting for the arrival of Savinho.

"At the moment, I can't answer," said Guardiola, when I asked him if there would be any more additions. "Maybe yes, but maybe no."