Pep Guardiola's update before Manchester City's FA Cup final against Chelsea was short on certainty and long on waiting. Rodri remains a doubt after missing the last five games in all competitions, and his groin injury was sustained in the win over Arsenal on April 19. Guardiola put it bluntly: "I don't know. I don't know. We'll see in the next days."

Rodri is still the main selection call

That answer is the key point from the press conference. Rodri has only played 20 Premier League matches this season, yet his league rating of 7.44 and FA Cup rating of 7.53 show why Manchester City are not rushing to rule him out. If he misses Wembley, Guardiola loses the midfielder who gives the side control in tight games.

The other part of the picture is more encouraging for City. Joško Gvardiol returned from a broken leg and played nearly an hour against Crystal Palace, while Erling Haaland was rested completely in that game. That should leave City with more energy at the top end of the pitch, even if Guardiola did not confirm anything about his starting XI.

Guardiola's wording leaves the door open, but not open enough to call Rodri fit. He is still waiting on the next few days, and that is the story going into Wembley. If City get the midfielder back, the selection gets much cleaner. If they do not, the final is shaped by one major absence and a striker who should be fresh rather than one who is already locked into the XI.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 11 outlets. How we work →