Manchester City (hereinafter referred to as Manchester City) is on the verge of having to play the season without defensive midfielder Rodri (28).
BBC said on the 24th (Korea time), “Lordry, who suffered a knee injury in the match against Arsenal, is expected to be absent for a long time. The specific timing of his return has not been announced yet, but there are concerns that he may be unable to play throughout the season. This is expected to be a significant variable in Manchester City’s trophy competition.”
Manchester City had a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the fifth round of the English Premier League (EPL) of the 2024-2025 season at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, the U.K. on Sunday. In the match, Rodri was substituted for an injury in the 16th minute of the match. He had a collision with Thomas Partey inside the penalty box and suffered tremendous pain. He sent a signal to the bench and exited the ground.
Rodri played a central role in Manchester City last season. According to the BBC, Manchester City did not lose during the 48 games he started. On the other hand, in the absence of Rodri, he lost four out of five games. This foreshadows how his absence will affect the team. 메이저놀이터
Rodri, who moved from Atletico Madrid to Manchester City in 2019, has established himself as a key player. Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) called him a “perfect team member.” In Rodri’s matches, Manchester City’s defeat rate is only 11 percent, but in his absence, it rises to 24 percent.
BBC reported that if Manchester City plays without Rodri, the expected number of points could be reduced from 91 to 80. A score of 91 is enough to win the league title three times out of the past four seasons. However, Manchester United was the last team to win the title with 80 points in the 2010-2011 season.
Rodri strengthened Manchester City’s defense with his ability to recover and distribute the ball accurately. He is one of the players who recovered the most balls in the EPL, and his pass success rate is 91.9 percent. He has also recorded the most passes in his opponent’s camp.
There are not many replacements to fill his void. Kalvin Phillips is currently on loan at Ipswich and cannot return. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is likely to use two defensive midfielders. Matteo Kovacic is mentioned as an alternative, but it is unclear whether he will be able to completely replace Rodri.
Another option is John Stones. He is a player who can switch from defence to midfielder. Gündoan and The Bruyne have played similar roles in the past. 19-year-old Rico Lewis is also in the spotlight.
Rodri’s injury is a huge blow to Manchester City. But Guardiola has always looked for alternatives. The upcoming January transfer window could play an important role in Manchester City’s options.
