Micah Richards rules one team OUT of the title race before season even begins

Micah Richards reckons Manchester City are out of the title race because Rodri is out until October.

The Ballon D’Or winner missed most of last season after rupturing his ACL last September. And the Spaniard suffered a groin injury at the FIFA Club World Cup which will rule him out until the international break next month - and perhaps even longer.

Manchester City have spent heavily in January and again in the summer after failing to win a trophy. But former City defender Richards reckons Rodri - who was signed for £62m in 2019 - is still the key to the team.

“If Rodri would have been fit, I think they could have gone to the wire, but it doesn't look like he's going to be fit until maybe October,” said the Sky Sports analyst. “I think that changes the narrative with them, just because he's pivotal in what they do in terms of stopping counter-attacks.

“But Tijjani Reijnders from Milan is a really good player, he can play in Number 6, he can play in Number 8 as well, he's scored a couple of goals in pre-season.

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"So I'd look at that area of the pitch, the boy Nico Gonzalez last season, it's not really happened for him in that Number 6 role, he's more of a Number 8.

“Rayan Cherki as well, he's a player who can impact the game, can play at number 10, can play the right, can play the left, wonderful left foot, he's both foot, he takes corners with his right foot and his left foot,

"Liverpool will be there, I think they will be my favourites this year. I think Chelsea look strong after watching the Club World Cup. And we've been talking about Arsenal for a while now in terms of needing a striker, I still think they're a little bit short on the left-hand side. I think Martinelli's an impact player rather than a starter.”

Fellow Sky pundit Jamie Carragher is also predicting a competitive race for the title, warning Liverpool won't cruise to the title...even if they sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle.

He said: “I think they are still likely to get Isak but I don't get this narrative that Liverpool are going to run away with it.

“I think we will have a title race. If you look at history, it tells you that it's not just about having the best players, it's about having the best team, and making that balance right, and at the weekend (the Community Shiedl) it didn't quite look right."

Sky Sports and NOW will broadcast over 215 Premier League matches exclusively live this season

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