Manchester City has been dealt a major blow with concerns that their star midfielder, Rodri, may face a long-term injury after their recent Premier League match against Arsenal. Rodri, who is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders globally, suffered a serious knee injury during the game and had to leave the field early.
With his future uncertain, Manchester City now faces the possibility of being without their key player for the rest of the season, a situation that could seriously affect their performances going forward in the season.
Manchester City fans really just have to up the tempo at the Etihad. Their team is already solidifying their place in the English elite and even amongst Europe’s royalty. Hakan Calhanoglu re-echoed Pep Guardiola’s concerns about the silence around the stadium. Going forward, they will need to purchase Manchester City tickets en masse from an online resale store to make their voices heard.
What Happened During the Arsenal Match
In a quite tense match that ended in a 2-2 draw between Manchester City and Arsenal, Rodri was injured while making a run toward the near post during a corner.
About 20 minutes into the game, he twisted his right knee and fell to the ground in visible pain. Although he tried to continue, he just could not play with the pain and the medical team had to help him off the field. It was a worrying sight for Manchester City fans, as Rodri is undoubtedly a crucial part of their team.
There is no official diagnosis of his injury yet, but early reports suggest that the damage to his knee could be severe. Rodri has already visited a specialist in Spain, Dr. Ramon Cugat, known for treating many top footballers. His club is waiting for more tests to determine the extent of the injury. If the worst case scenario happens, and Rodri is ruled out for the season, it will be a big setback for both the player and the club.
Since joining Manchester City in 2019, Rodri has been an essential player in the team’s midfield. Over the past two seasons, he has made more than 50 appearances each year, showing just how important he has been to the team.
Rodri has also played a huge role in Manchester City’s success under manager Pep Guardiola, who considers him the best player in his position in the world. Guardiola even said after the match that “Rodri is strong and usually doesn’t leave the pitch unless it is serious”.
Guardiola also went as far as to say that Rodri could win the Ballon d’Or. This is actually a possibility given the incredible year he has had with both the English giants and the Spanish national team who by the way will also greatly miss the midfield juggernaut in subsequent international engagements.
Rodri’s Role Beyond Manchester City and Possible Alternatives
Rodri’s brilliance is not just limited to Manchester City. He also plays a huge role in the Spain national team and had an exceptional performance in the recent Euro 2024 in Germany, where he was named ‘Player of the Tournament’. Despite picking up an injury in the final against England, his contributions were invaluable, helping Spain reach the final and win the competition.
Interestingly, Rodri had previously expressed concerns about the intense schedule footballers face these days. With more and more matches being played each year, Rodri mentioned not so long ago that players are getting close to striking in protest of the workload.
His statement comes at a time when many players, including himself, are feeling the physical toll of playing so many games without proper rest. Rodri had already hinted earlier in the year that he needed a break, but instead of getting one, he continued playing match after match for both Manchester City and Spain.
This busy schedule, along with the demands of top-tier football, may have played a part in his current injury. As one of the most active players in recent years, having played more games than any other Premier League player since 2019, the wear and tear on Rodri’s body could be catching up to him.
For Manchester City, losing Rodri for an extended period would be a serious problem. He is a leader on the field and has the unique ability to control the game from the midfield. Without him, City’s tactics may not work as smoothly, and they could struggle against tougher opponents. While they do have other quality players, replacing someone of Rodri’s caliber is surely no easy task.
There will be even more pressure on players like Mateo Kovačić, who will likely have to step in if Rodri is sidelined. Kovačić, who joined City from Chelsea, is a capable option but has yet to fully establish himself as a regular starter in the team. This injury could be his perfect opportunity to prove himself, but City fans know that no one can fill Rodri’s shoes. Other options are İlkay Gündoğan and the young Rico Lewis. Gündoğan is quite flexible and can play where Rodri marshals.
For now, all eyes will be on the upcoming medical tests that will determine how long Rodri will be out of action. If the news is positive, he may only miss a few weeks, but if it is more serious, Manchester City’s hopes for another successful season could be in serious jeopardy.
Conclusion
Rodri’s potential absence will not only affect Manchester City’s performance in domestic competitions like the Premier League but also in the UEFA Champions League, where they will hope to reclaim the title from Real Madrid.
With such high expectations placed on the club and their manager Pep Guardiola, losing their most influential player could be a big stumbling block to them achieving their goals for the season.
Whether Rodri will return later this season or spend months in recovery remains to be seen, but what is certain is that Manchester City will miss him dearly in the meantime.