Will Rodri’s absence halt Manchester City?

Manchester City suffered some devastating news last week as they learnt the extent of influential midfielder Rodri’s injury, with the Spaniard out for the rest of the season.

The international defensive midfielder has damaged an anterior cruciate ligament, which is so often a critical setback for players. Here we look in-depth at how his absence may affect the Light Blues in their hunt for more silverware.

A huge absence

City have been outstandingly successful in recent campaigns, winning the Premier League in all of the past four seasons as well as the Champions League in 2023.

A key contributor to that record has been Rodri, arguably one of the best in the world in his position. Additionally his leadership and experience in the squad are hard to replace – so his absence with a potentially devastating knee injury poses a host of problems for boss Pep Guardiola as he works out how to guide his men for the rest of this term and maybe beyond.

The first Premier League fixture Rodri missed was last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle United, where City struggled at times to escape the Magpies’ press.

In all competitions since a defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in February 2023, the Light Blues have lost only once when Rodri has started in a massive 78 games. That compared with five defeats in 17 when he has not been in the first XI.

Potentially part of City’s game could be stymied without Rodri, as he is one of the best passers of the ball and a master at creating space for team-mates.

What are Guardiola’s options?

The City boss has a number of choices as he reconfigures the centre of midfield, with Mateo Kovacic an obvious shout to replace Rodri.

But while the Croatia international, fantastic on the ball, is a composed passer, there are doubts about whether he can fulfil the defensive duties that the Spaniard undertook so consistently and effortlessly.

Another option for Guardiola is Rico Lewis, who has been strong in the early part of the campaign. He turns 20 in November, and this could be his break-out season in the transition to becoming a true star.

The young Englishman’s intelligent positioning, combined with his speed in managing counter-attacks, makes him a strong contender for the deepest role in the City. His notably reliable distribution is a valuable asset as part of the Guardiola game plan to maintain firm control of possession right through matches.

However, perhaps the main contender for the Rodri berth is John Stones. While the England international has been one of the best for many years, in recent times he has also shown his versatility.

Now 30 years old, he has been able to break down play in the centre of the park when called upon, and Guardiola has even started him further up in attacking midfield roles in big matches, such as the 2023 Champions League final.

If Stones is fully fit, we suspect the City boss may go with his technical ability and physical presence. And, despite Rodri’s enforced absence, you can still back the Light Blues – with their strength in depth – to win the Premier League, Champions League or FA Cup with various bookmakers.

Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.