Home SPORTS Pep Guardiola's Latest Team News: Rodri Back, Trafford's Goalkeeper Challenge

Pep Guardiola's Latest Team News: Rodri Back, Trafford's Goalkeeper Challenge

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Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola


Read about Pep Guardiola's thoughts on Rodri's return and James Trafford's starting chances in Manchester City's upcoming match against Tottenham.



Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola received a boost ahead of their match against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, confirming that Rodri and Phil Foden will return to the matchday squad. Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, has been recovering from a groin injury and an earlier ACL tear that kept him sidelined for most of last season. Despite missing City's 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening day, Rodri is now fit to play.


Phil Foden's return will also be a significant boost for Manchester City, who are looking to maintain their strong start to the season. City claimed the top spot in the table on goal difference after their 4-0 win against Wolves, with newly promoted Sunderland closely following. However, Guardiola has also confirmed that some key players will miss the match against Tottenham, including Mateo Kovacic, who is out for the season with an ACL injury, and Ruben Dias, who is dealing with a calf problem.




Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that Rodri and Phil Foden are ready to play tomorrow after missing the last game due to a lack of training. “Rodri and Phil (Foden) were not available for the last game, they were out, but it was just because of a lack of training, they are ready for tomorrow,” Guardiola said. Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, and Savinho are the only players currently out due to injuries. Kovacic is still recovering from Achilles surgery, while Gvardiol and Savinho are dealing with other injuries that will keep them sidelined for a few weeks.


Guardiola also mentioned that Rodri's fitness is a top priority, especially after missing most of last season with a knee injury. “I just want a consistent Rodri, that's all,” Guardiola added, highlighting the importance of Rodri's availability for the team's success. With Rodri and Foden back in the lineup, Manchester City will look to bounce back from their previous results and make a strong statement in their upcoming matches.


Guardiola's Thoughts on Thomas Frank

Pep Guardiola believes Thomas Frank needs time to mold Tottenham into a formidable team. Frank's appointment as the new Spurs head coach has generated excitement, given his impressive track record at Brentford, where he led the team to promotion and established them as a Premier League mainstay. Guardiola thinks it's too early to assess Tottenham's changes under Frank but has expressed confidence in the Danish manager's abilities.


Frank's Background

Thomas Frank has built a reputation for getting the most out of his players and creating a positive team culture. During his time at Brentford, he developed players like Ivan Toney, David Raya, and Bryan Mbeumo into household names while maintaining team unity. His tactical versatility and trust in youth are traits that Tottenham hopes will bring success to the club.



Upcoming Match

Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, will face Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Etihad Stadium. This match promises to be an exciting encounter between two teams with high stakes in the Premier League.


“He is a top-class manager and he offers a different alternative to how they can play. Going in to a new club is always funny and a different challenge but you have to wait.” 


Manchester City vs Tottenham: A New Season Brings New Opportunities

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledges that Tottenham Hotspur is often a tough opponent for his team, but he's optimistic about their chances in the new season. Despite their historical struggles against Spurs, Guardiola believes his team is fresher than ever, which could give them an edge. The two teams will face off on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Etihad Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 11:30 UTC.


Head-to-Head Record:

  • Manchester City: 20 wins
  • Tottenham Hotspur: 12 wins
  • Draws: 4


Guardiola's confidence stems from his team's strong start to the season, including a 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. With key players like Rodri and Phil Foden returning to the lineup, City will look to capitalize on their momentum and secure a win against Spurs.


“Spurs have been a tough opponent for us, but this is a new season for us and what happened in the past is in the past and there's nothing we can do. 


“Last season (4-0 defeat) came after an international break and a poor run of results and the dynamic wasn't good but it is a new season with new vibes and the game will hopefully like the first 15-20 minutes of the game last season.”


Rodri's Return: A Boost for Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, is fit to return against Tottenham on Saturday and has praised him as the “best player in the world.” Rodri's return will be a significant boost to City's chances, given his instrumental role in the team's success. Guardiola emphasized the importance of consistency with Rodri, highlighting his exceptional potential and ability.


Rodri's Profile:

  • Age: 29 years old (born June 22, 1996)
  • Height: 1.91m (6 feet 3 inches)
  • Weight: 82kg (approximately)
  • Position: Defensive midfielder
  • Contract: Extends until June 30, 2027
  • Salary: Approximately £11.4 million annually
  • Net Worth: Estimated £12 million


Rodri's absence due to injury has impacted City's performance, but his return is expected to strengthen the team's midfield. Guardiola's praise underscores Rodri's value to the team, and his influence on the pitch is likely to be crucial in City's upcoming match against Tottenham.




He said: “I just want consistency with Rodri. I don't have any doubts about his potential or his ability. Still, so far, he is the best player in the world.


“The consistency will come with training and games, training and games, week after week and after that everything will be fine.”


James Trafford's Starting Chances Against Tottenham

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hasn't confirmed whether James Trafford or Ederson will start in goal against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. According to Guardiola, “We will decide tomorrow or tonight after dinner.” He expressed his satisfaction with Trafford, saying, “I am happy with him, the new players always bring a new energy and James brings his youth and desire to play for the club he grew up at.” This suggests that Trafford has been impressing Guardiola, which could impact the starting lineup decision.




“I said many times it was just his first game, we just have to be consistent and we have to be better and improve.”




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