Pep Guardiola has voiced his support for Rodri after the Manchester City midfielder expressed concerns about the increasing number of games being added to the calendar, even hinting at the possibility of industrial action. Rodri, along with Aston Villa’s John McGinn and Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson, have recently spoken out about the demanding schedule. The Spanish international played 63 times last season for club and country, and with the introduction of additional Champions League matches and an expanded Club World Cup in America next summer, players could potentially face 85 games in a year.
“Many voices are discussing the possibility of players going on strike,” Guardiola stated. “If there is to be any change, it must come from the players themselves. They are the only ones who can influence the organization, by voicing their concerns and taking action. The business can function without managers, sporting directors, media, or owners, but without the players, the game cannot be played. Only they possess the power to make a difference. I am confident they will do so for the betterment of the game, making it more just and attractive.”
City is set to face Arsenal on Sunday and will then play Watford in the Carabao Cup two days later, prompting Guardiola to plan changes between these fixtures to prevent player burnout. The City manager acknowledged that his team had an advantage going into the Arsenal game, having played in the Champions League on Wednesday, a day before their opponents, and at home rather than in Italy. “It’s an advantage, but I could show you a long list of times we were at a disadvantage against top opponents due to less recovery time,” Guardiola said. “Of course, this is a slight advantage.”
Guardiola also mentioned that he is monitoring the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne after the midfielder sustained a groin injury against Inter. “He feels a bit better today [Friday], but we haven’t had training yet, so we’ll see,” he said. “He might be involved.”
City has had an excellent start to the Premier League, winning their first four matches and leading second-placed Arsenal by two points. The team has not lost a home game in the Premier League since November 2022. “I believe it’s very important,” Guardiola said about potentially increasing the gap at the top. “In terms of winning or losing the Premier League, it’s not crucial after just five games. If we underestimate Arsenal’s quality, we will be making a mistake.”
