Manchester City: Who Replaces Reliable Rodri In Midfield?

During Manchester City’s top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal, Manchester City’s star midfielder Rodri suffered an ACL injury, which could keep him out for the rest of the season.

Rodri has made 260 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 26 goals and creating 21 assists.

What makes Rodri’s absence a potentially damaging loss for City is the work he does both off and on the ball.

According to Sky Sports, Rodri is second in terms of possession in the middle third, with 136 interceptions.

He also is first on the final third passes completed(1,042).

Replacements?

With a squad of 24 players, Guardiola is spoiled for choice in terms of options.

One of those options is the former Chelsea midfielder.

Mateo Kovacic, who signed from Chelsea in June 2023, has made 52 appearances for the Premier League Champions.

His physical presence could give that extra protection for City to stop them from being susceptible to counterattacks.

He has been predominantly used as a substitute this season, making five appearances this season.

He could be Guardiola’s temporary solution for the big games, such as the away trip to Arsenal and the Home match against Chelsea, as well as the other matches against the big six.

In the game where City will dominate the ball, perhaps John Stones or Rico Lewis is another option.

Now, some people might turn around and say, “That’s ridiculous. How can a centre-half play in midfield?”

The way City plays enables their central defenders to get higher up the pitch and pin the opposition in the box.

And given that Stones is a good reader of opposition attacks and can stop them from scoring, this could be another solution.

Meanwhile, talented international English players can also play in that position if needed.

But it also depends on the opposition. Newcastle United are City’s next opponents in the League, so perhaps Kovacic would be the best option to deal with Bruno Guimarães.

The next few weeks could tell us whether the Premier League Champions can cope without their star defender.