Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is anxiously awaiting the next medical update on midfielder Rodri, as rumors intensify that the Spanish star may face a prolonged absence due to a knee injury. Despite the depth of talent in City's squad, certain players are irreplaceable, and Rodri, the smooth defensive midfielder, unquestionably falls into that category. Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Rodri has featured in 174 Premier League games for City, losing only 19 times and winning 129. Notably, City's chances of losing significantly increase when Rodri is not anchoring their midfield. The team has lost seven out of 21 Premier League games in which he was absent, a 33% loss rate compared to 10.9% when he was playing. Last season, City lost three games in the first half without Rodri—against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arsenal, and Aston Villa—but none after his return from injury.
Statistically, few players contribute as comprehensively across the pitch as Rodri. Since his arrival in England, he has completed more passes in the opposition's half than any other player, with only Declan Rice surpassing him in terms of winning back possession. Essentially, he excels at regaining the ball and swiftly using it to great effect. This skill set has made City the dominant force in England and helped Spain reclaim European dominance. In the past 18 months, a City or Spain national team including Rodri has lost only once—City's unexpected FA Cup final defeat by Manchester United last season. No wonder the 28-year-old, who scored 12 goals for club and country last season, is being touted for this year's Ballon d'Or, and no wonder Guardiola looked so concerned when his midfield maestro limped off in distress during Sunday's 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal.
Rodri had orchestrated a brilliant opening spell for City in that match at the Etihad, with the hosts leading 1-0 before he fell after a seemingly innocuous clash with Thomas Partey. Almost immediately after his departure, Arsenal equalized, and City needed a late John Stones equalizer in stoppage time to avoid a damaging defeat by the 10-man Gunners. Mateo Kovacic is a like-for-like replacement for Rodri, but if, as feared, Rodri has sustained a potentially season-ending ACL knee injury, the odds of City winning a fifth consecutive Premier League title will significantly lengthen. Rodri's injury has once again highlighted concerns over the hectic football schedule. Just last week, the Spaniard warned that leading players could strike over the ever-expanding schedule. He played over 5,000 minutes in 63 games for City and Spain last season.
"I don't know what's going to happen, but it's something that worries us because we are the ones who suffer," he said about the increasing physical and mental demands on players. "Someone has to take care of us because we are the main characters of this, let's say, sport, or business, whatever you want to call it."
