Manchester City reportedly began their search for midfield reinforcements in the January transfer window after Rodri sustained a serious injury. The 28-year-old had an impressive 2024, contributing to City’s fourth consecutive Premier League title and leading Spain to victory at Euro 2024.
Rodri missed the first three Premier League games of the season due to a hamstring injury he picked up in Spain’s Euro 2024 final win against the English side. Pep Guardiola has been cautious about reintegrating him into the squad after his busy year for club and country.
Manchester City suffered a major setback due to this player’s injury. Rodri was considered the backbone support of the Blues, and now, being out of the squad for the remainder of the season makes things worse for Manchester City.
Possible Course of Action for Manchester City
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According to Football Insider, Manchester City is now actively planning for January transfers after Rodri suffered a serious knee injury during a clash with Thomas Partey in the Premier League match against Arsenal. Reports suggest Rodri may have sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, potentially sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
Rodri has since been spotted in Barcelona for consultations with top football doctors. With this setback, Guardiola is reportedly eager to strengthen City’s defensive midfield options during the upcoming transfer window. With the transfer window closed, Manchester City must wait until January to sign a replacement for the injured Rodri. In the meantime, they must rely on internal solutions to manage without one of the world’s best-holding midfielders.
How Will City Cope in Rodri’s Absence
Both comfortable in central areas, defenders John Stones and Rico Lewis could step in, with Stones known for his ball-playing abilities. City also have more traditional midfield options in Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, while Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva could take on deeper roles if needed.
Kovacic, in particular, is the closest to replicating Rodri’s role, as demonstrated in City’s season opener against Chelsea, where he scored the second goal in their 2-0 win. Kovacic is known for his excellent ball-holding and distribution capabilities. He is also good at defending, which makes him a possible candidate for replacing injured Rodri.
Manchester City’s Poor Performances in Rodri’s Absence
Rodri, who has been crucial since joining in 2019, started 50 games last season and played 4,325 minutes. Since his arrival, he has missed only 21 of City’s 195 Premier League matches. His absence was felt immediately against Arsenal, with the team conceding an equalizer shortly after he was substituted.
Last season, City’s three Premier League defeats came during games where Rodri was suspended. Pep Guardiola has rarely had to question Rodri’s place in the starting lineup, as his positioning, passing, and ability to break through defenses make him irreplaceable in City’s current system.
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