Manchester City is once again grappling with a significant challenge in their midfield after Rodri picked up a knee injury during their recent 1-0 Premier League victory over Brentford. This latest setback for the 29-year-old midfielder adds to a growing list of concerns, especially given his history with an ACL injury earlier this season. His recurring fitness issues mean City’s crucial defensive anchor has seen limited action, leaving Pep Guardiola to find solutions for his team’s core.
🤕 Rodri’s Persistent Injury Concerns
Rodri’s injury troubles have been a recurring theme this season. Since his ACL tear, he has only made 15 appearances across all competitions in the 2024-25 season, completing the full 90 minutes just twice. Overall, these injuries have kept him off the pitch for 256 days and 55 games for both club and country. While many players recover from ACL injuries, the concern with Rodri is the ongoing issues with the same knee. Manager Pep Guardiola has spoken about trying to manage Rodri’s minutes, explaining, “We tried to be gentle and play him for 60-65 minutes.” He confirmed the latest injury is muscular, adding, “Of course I don’t want to lose him because he is such an important player. We tried to take care of him, but it is what it is.” Rodri himself downplayed the severity to Sky Sports, mentioning a slight hamstring issue but expressing optimism that the upcoming international break would provide valuable recovery time, hoping to be ready for the next game.
🧩 Adapting to Life Without Their Midfield Anchor
Last season, Rodri’s absence coincided with a challenging period for Manchester City, which saw them lose form before ultimately adapting to finish third in the league. Without Rodri’s unique defensive midfield capabilities, Guardiola has often relied on a collective effort in that area. This has sometimes involved deploying three midfielders and two wingers to bolster the defense. Key players like Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan stepped up in his absence last season, while John Stones, when fit, would transition from central defense into midfield roles. Guardiola acknowledges that adapting to such a demanding role takes time, much like Rodri himself had to do when he first joined in 2019.
🌟 Emerging Midfield Options
In their quest to fill the void left by Rodri’s injuries, City signed Nico Gonzalez from FC Porto in January. The fellow Spaniard is a talented player, though he is still finding his rhythm in the fast-paced Premier League. Notably, Gonzalez replaced Rodri in the recent win against Brentford and delivered one of his strongest performances for City, completing 51 passes, winning 71% of his duels, and making four passes into the final third. This suggests he is capable of performing the “Rodri role.” Another player, Tijjani Reijnders, was initially thought to be a potential replacement but has instead taken on a more advanced role, playing further up the field as a hybrid attacking midfielder, closer to a Kevin De Bruyne replacement. While Gonzalez is City’s best current option, he is still developing and cannot yet replicate the full impact of a fully fit Rodri.
🔮 A Look Ahead: City’s Long-Term Strategy
Given Rodri’s recurring injury problems and his contract set to expire in the summer of 2027, Manchester City may need to seriously consider their long-term midfield strategy without him. If his injury issues persist, offering a new contract when he turns 31 might not be the most practical step. This situation prompts important strategic decisions for Guardiola’s side, possibly including a continued focus on developing current options or exploring new talent. Adapting tactically and preparing for a future where Rodri might not be as consistently available seems to be a wise approach for the club.
