There is no doubt that Manchester City have made a strong start to the 24/25 season. Three consecutive wins to open the Premier League season have been the ideal start for Pep Guardiola’s side. An overlooked feature of City’s impressive start to the new season has been their management of several key players after a busy summer of internationals. City have picked up results while resting key players such as Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones. But the international break does come with a risk attached to it for Manchester City.
The world champions have made it a focus to allow Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones time to recover from their European Championship exploits. All four players had key roles for their countries at the tournament. They have been given time to recover by Pep Guardiola and his staff to ensure they’re fully fit for what lies ahead. That is a credit to the Manchester City fitness staff. But the upcoming internationals have the potential to undo the good work of City’s staff.
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Rodri has only recently returned to training for Manchester City. He was an unused substitute during their win over West Ham on Saturday. Given his importance to Spain, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him feature heavily during the upcoming internationals. The hope is that Rodri can get through Spain’s fixtures unscathed if he is called upon. Manchester City have wrapped their most important player in cotton wool at the start of the new campaign. The hope is he returns to the club fit and ready to contribute after the international break.
The other player to monitor over the international break is Phil Foden. He missed Manchester City’s win over West Ham entirely due to illness. Speaking after his team’s win at the London Stadium in an interview relayed by the BBC Pep Guardiola is expecting Foden to withdraw from international duty. Guardiola told the media: “I think he will not go but I don’t know. He doesn’t feel well. But national teams, they decide.”
What happens with Phil Foden this week is now a story to watch for. If he is still suffering the effects of the illness that forced him out of City’s win over West Ham, he shouldn’t be risked by Lee Carsley. That would be the common sense approach. But England has their own priorities, and Foden is a key player for his country. So what happens next in regards to Foden’s availability for his country is a story to monitor.
There is a risk attached to the international break for Manchester City. They have expertly managed the fitness of their players after a busy summer. The hope is now that their good work isn’t undone over the international break. Besides how the City players perform for their nations their fitness is another topic to monitor throughout the international break.
