Rodri has missed a significant amount of time since tearing his ACL, totaling 256 days and 55 games for club and country. Many players have recovered from ACL injuries, but the concern is that Rodri continues to have issues with the same knee. Manager Pep Guardiola expressed optimism about Rodri's condition, citing the need to be cautious with his playing time.
Pep Guardiola explained that he has been trying to manage Rodri's workload, saying, "I was right, no? You asked me why I don't play him 90 minutes all the time. The journalists always ask me why I substitute him. This is why we tried to be gentle and play (him) for 60-65 minutes." He also stated that Rodri's latest injury is muscular and that he doesn't want to lose him due to his importance to the team.
Rodri himself downplayed the severity of the injury, saying he felt a slight hamstring strain but believes it's not a major issue. He expressed confidence in his ability to recover and return to the field soon. However, a prolonged period of rest might be beneficial for his recovery.
When Rodri is not playing, Pep Guardiola often uses a combination of midfielders and wingers to compensate for the missing defensive anchor. Last season, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan filled this role, while John Stones stepped up from central defense when fit. Guardiola has acknowledged that adapting to this position takes time, as Rodri experienced when he first joined the team.
Manchester City signed Nico Gonzalez from FC Porto in January to fill the void left by Rodri's injury. While Gonzalez is a capable player, he has yet to find his footing in the Premier League. He came on to replace Rodri in the win over Brentford and performed well, completing 51 passes and winning 71% of his duels. However, he is still far from replicating the impact of a prime Rodri.
The team may need to start preparing for life without Rodri, as his contract is set to expire in 2027. If his injury issues persist, offering him a new contract might not be the best option. Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Rodri, and adapting to life without him could be the best strategy for Manchester City.
