Savinho will make his first start for Manchester City in today’s Premier League opener against Chelsea.
Pep Guardiola has reduced options at Stamford Bridge after Phil Foden, John Stones, Kyle Walker and Rodri all missed the Community Shield victory last weekend, having only returned to training this week after Euro 2024.
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In the week, the City boss confirmed that Rodri will miss the game after picking up an injury in the Euros final. Walker, Stones and Foden are on the bench this afternoon.
A partner is therefore required for midfielder Mateo Kovacic and Kevin De Bruyne will play in a deeper role, with Bernardo Silva as the No10. Savinho and Jeremy Doku start on the flanks and Erling Haaland is up top.
City are without Oscar Bobb, who had impressed in pre-season. The winger suffered a fractured fibula in training and reports suggest he could be out for up to four months, with surgery required.
Jack Grealish is back on the bench after a knock kept him out of the Community Shield.
Man City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, De Bruyne; Savinho, Silva, Doku; Haaland
Subs: Ortega, Walker, Stones, Ake, Grealish, Nunes, Foden, O'Reilly, McAtee
Unavailable: Bobb, Rodri
Time and date: 4:30pm BST, Sunday August 18, 2024
Venue: Stamford Bridge
