Manchester City midfielder Rodri hobbled off the pitch during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday after clutching his right knee in discomfort. The midfielder was tightly marked by Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and suddenly collapsed to the ground as the two battled for position inside the box.
According to reports from ESPN and Spanish sports outlet Marca, medical tests conducted on Monday have confirmed that Rodri has suffered an ACL tear which is likely to keep him sidelined for the entire season. This will come as a huge blow for Pep Guardiola as Rodri has been one of the ever-presents in the Man City midfield since his arrival in 2019.
Just a week ago, Rodri voiced concerns about the relentless football schedule, warning that top players might consider going on strike if the calendar continued to expand. His words seemed predictive, as he had just come off a grueling season where he played over 5,000 minutes across 63 games for Manchester City and Spain.
Now, with the confirmation of an ACL tear, the toll of such a demanding schedule is clearer than ever.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer,” Rodri said.“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.”
Ironically, Man City will play again just 48 hours after the grueling clash against Arsenal on Sunday. They will face Watford at home in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
Manchester City’s midfield dilemma: Coping without Rodri
Although Pep Guardiola is known for frequently rotating players in other positions, Rodri remains a key fixture at the heart of Manchester City’s midfield and is rarely absent from their most crucial matches.
The Spaniard’s absence would significantly impact City’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive Premier League title and their Champions League ambitions. The ex-Atletico Madrid star has been a consistent force, losing just one of his last 84 matches for both club and country.
His standout performances, crucial to City’s recent Premier League triumph and Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, have even sparked discussions of him being a potential Ballon d’Or contender this year.
Rodri’s absence will mean the likes of Matteo Kovacic or Rico Lewis could replace the 28-year-old long-term in the City’s midfield. The return of Ilkay Gundogan after just one year away at Barcelona also proves valuable as his versatility in performing in a range of midfield roles makes him an invaluable asset to his manager.
Guardiola can also opt to play John Stones in the midfield, which is something he has done in the recent past.
Read More: Hearing Begins on Manchester City Charges, What Penalties Can the Premier League Champions Face?
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
