Rodri’s Absence Could Be a Major Setback for Manchester City’s Premier League Title Hopes

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is anxiously awaiting the next medical report on midfielder Rodri, 28, amid growing speculation that the Spanish player could be facing an extended spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury.

While City’s squad is rich in talent, there are a few players who are irreplaceable, and Rodri certainly falls into that category as the team’s indispensable defensive midfielder.

Since joining from Atlético Madrid in 2019, Rodri has played in 174 Premier League matches for Manchester City, losing only 19 times during that period, and helping the club secure victory in 129 of those games. However, when Rodri is absent, the statistics show a dramatic shift in City’s fortunes. In the 21 Premier League matches Rodri has missed, City have lost seven times, translating to a 33% loss rate compared to just 10.9% when he’s available on the pitch.

Last season highlighted just how important Rodri is to the team. Manchester City suffered three losses early on in the campaign to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arsenal, and Aston Villa, all during his absence. However, following his return from injury, City regained their rhythm and did not lose a single match for the remainder of the season.

Rodri’s impact goes beyond just keeping the team from losing. According to the statistics, few players contribute to both the defensive and attacking sides of the game as much as he does. Since making his Premier League debut, Rodri has completed more passes in the opposition’s half than any other player, with only Declan Rice surpassing him in terms of recovering possession.

In simple terms, Rodri is a master at regaining control of the ball and swiftly using it to devastating effect. This unique skill set has been a key factor in Manchester City’s dominance in English football and Spain’s resurgence on the European stage. Over the last 18 months, City or Spain teams featuring Rodri have only experienced defeat once—Manchester City’s surprise FA Cup final loss to Manchester United last season.

Rodri’s importance to the team is not lost on anyone, least of all Guardiola, who looked visibly concerned when his midfield general limped off the pitch during City’s 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal last Sunday. City had been dominating the game at the Etihad Stadium, holding a 1-0 lead, when Rodri was involved in an innocuous challenge with Thomas Partey. Shortly after Rodri left the field, Arsenal equalized, and City found themselves trailing, only to be rescued by a stoppage-time goal from John Stones, avoiding what could have been a damaging defeat to the 10-man Gunners.

Although Mateo Kovacic is seen as a like-for-like replacement for Rodri, the Croatian midfielder’s introduction is unlikely to completely fill the void left by the Spaniard. If the worst is confirmed and Rodri has indeed suffered a season-ending ACL injury, the odds of Manchester City securing their fifth consecutive Premier League title could take a significant hit.

Rodri isn’t just a defensive force. Last season, he contributed 12 goals for club and country, further proving his value on both ends of the pitch. His performances have been so outstanding that he’s been tipped as a potential candidate for this year’s Ballon d’Or. It’s no wonder why Guardiola looked so anxious as Rodri left the field, knowing that his absence could drastically impact the team’s aspirations this season.

As Manchester City heads into a crucial part of their campaign, all eyes are on the medical team’s evaluation of Rodri’s knee injury. If confirmed as a long-term issue, City’s path to retaining the Premier League title will be significantly more difficult without the player who has been the cornerstone of their recent success.