Both managers spoke to the media on Friday ahead of the Premier League opener.

Chelsea and Manchester City will be without at least two players each for this weekend’s first Premier League game of the season.

The champions travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday as they begin the defence of their title for the fifth consecutive year. As for Chelsea, it has been another summer of upheaval with a managerial change and no shortage of player arrivals and departures.

Conor Gallagher was among those expected to leave but a failed transfer to Atletico Madrid has left him with an uncertain future. His immediate plans are more clear though, with Enzo Maresca confirming the midfielder won’t be part of the Chelsea squad this weekend.

“Conor is back. He is training apart. He is doing some medical tests and some training,” said the former Leicester City boss. "He won't be involved in the game [against City]. At this moment, he is trying to find a solution with the club.”

Along with Gallagher, one other Chelsea player has been ruled out. “In terms of injury we have only Reece James out but the rest are all training and are involved,” revealed Maresca.

For City, Pep Guardiola confirmed in Friday’s press conference that Oscar Bobb will be out for around three or four months due to the leg fracture he suffered earlier this week in training.

Rodri also won’t be involved as he has not yet fully returned to training. “I don't see him yet, I think he feels good but he has to return to training,” Guardiola explained. “We will see when he starts to move his body how does he feel.”

The Spaniard’s absence is a major blow for City given the Blues lost three of their four Premier League games last season when he wasn’t playing, and weren’t beaten in any of the 34 matches he did feature in.

Meanwhile, Guardiola will come up against his former apprentice on Sunday when he faces Maresca at the Bridge. The Chelsea manager spent two years working under Guardiola in Manchester, and will take charge of his first Premier League game on Sunday.

“My advice is give him time,” said the City boss ahead of the match. “If the owners from Chelsea accept my advice, give him time and it will work. All the managers need time. I don’t know if Chelsea is the place to do this but give him time and he will work. That is my feeling.”