Premier League 2025/26: Rodri has been ruled out of Manchester City’s match against Everton

Manchester City will be without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri when they host Everton in Saturday’s Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed in a blow to the team’s efforts to maintain momentum in the title race.

The midfielder, who missed most of last season as he recovered from a serious knee injury, limped off in the first half of City’s 1-0 win over Brentford on October 5, and subsequently withdrew from the Spain squad ahead of the international break.

«No news. He (Rodri) is not ready for tomorrow,» Guardiola told reporters on Friday. “I don’t know when he’ll be back.”

City are fifth, three points behind leaders Arsenal after seven games, while Everton are a further two points back in eighth place.

Guardiola had good news with the return of full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and forward Omar Marmoush to full training. Neither has played since late August due to injuries.

“Much, much better, they’re about to come back,” he said.

Midfielder Mateo Kovacic was able to feature for the first time since his Achilles tendon surgery last season after playing for Croatia in their World Cup qualifying victory over Gibraltar.

«He has to give us quality moments, quality time and quality minutes. Step by step, but it is important that he is back,» Guardiola said.

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There will be no emotional return for winger Jack Grealish, who is ineligible to face his parent club.

Guardiola was full of praise for Grealish, who has been brilliant for Everton since leaving City on loan and shared the league lead in assists with Tottenham Hotspur’s Mohammed Kudus.

“His impact has been huge since day one,” Guardiola said of Grealish’s form at Everton. «He’s playing well, that’s what he wanted. The position we have with him, he’s a nice, incredible guy, but he hasn’t played for us for various reasons. He’s back to the real thing. He plays every game.»

City striker Erling Haaland has set a blistering pace, scoring 21 goals for club and country this season, including a hat-trick in Norway’s 5-0 win over Israel in World Cup qualifying.

However, Guardiola warned that he does not expect perfection from the 25-year-old every week.

«He is doing very well at the moment. But you cannot always maintain this level,» said the manager. «If he falls, I will be there. We will be there. We just have to keep his level up.»

“To go to the World Cup in the United States – for him and Norway it is really fun and important.”

Norway, who top Group I, could qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America next month. It leads Italy by three points, with a much better goal difference and two games remaining.

Published on October 17, 2025