Man City suffer huge Oscar Bobb injury blow on eve of new season

Manchester City forward Oscar Bobb is facing a spell on the sidelines after fracturing a bone in his leg during a training session.

The Norway international had impressed in pre-season for Pep Guardiola's side, chalking up goals against Celtic and Chelsea during friendlies in the United States before assisting Bernardo Silva's equaliser in the Community Shield against Manchester United as the Cityzens won on penalties.

However, having looked set for a prominent role at the start of their Premier League title defence, Bobb will now have to watch on from the stands with City considering whether to send him to Barcelona for further treatment.

BBC Sport add the reigning English champions are still to assess the full extent of the injury to the 21-year-old, who was expected to feature in their league opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

A number of international stars have only just returned to Pep Guardiola's squad, while winger Jack Grealish missed the Community Shield due to a fitness concern.

Bobb made 14 Premier League appearances last season, starting two games, and recorded a goal and an assist alongside another strike in the Champions League. He signed a new five-year contract in February.

His absence could mean Phil Foden is thrown back into the starting XI having not played since the Euro 2024 final, but Guardiola still has plenty of other options in wide areas. The likes of Silva, Jeremy Doku and Savio are all available this weekend and should get minutes at Chelsea.

One player the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss won't be able to call upon is Julian Alvarez, who has joined Atletico Madrid for a transfer fee that could rise to €95m if add-ons are met.

There have also been shock links with Liverpool and Colombia star Luis Diaz, but those rumours were swiftly put to bed.

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