Following the international break, Manchester City is set to resume their defense of the Premier League title. Two consecutive losses to Wolves and Arsenal have left Pep Guardiola and his star-studded team even more motivated as they prepare to face Brighton at the Etihad Stadium.
In the past week, numerous players have represented their respective nations. Five City players, including John Stones, featured for England against Italy in a recent match. Stones, who has been recovering from an injury, used this opportunity to accelerate his comeback. However, another player, Kalvin Phillips, who hasn’t seen much playing time for City this season, attributed his lackluster performance for England against Italy to his limited club appearances. He even hinted at the need to “make a decision” about his future.
In a thrilling encounter at Wembley, the Three Lions overcame an early deficit to defeat Italy 3-1, securing their qualification for the European Championships in Germany the following summer. Goals from Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford, a Manchester United star, propelled Gareth Southgate’s team to victory.
One player who won’t be making a transfer to Saudi Arabia, despite recent speculation among some European players, is Rodri. The midfielder, serving a three-game suspension due to a red card received last month, saw City lose all three of those matches, underscoring his importance to the team. Rodri is set to return to the starting lineup for City against Brighton after representing Spain during the international break, helping them qualify for Euro 2024.
Since his arrival at City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Rodri has faced questions from the Spanish media about his future. They wondered if he might consider returning home or exploring other countries once his time at City concludes. However, the 27-year-old reaffirmed his dedication to City, emphasizing his commitment to the club while under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2027.
