Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the club could be without midfielder Rodri for the remainder of the season due to a serious knee injury.
The Spaniard sustained the injury during a Premier League match against Arsenal and is expected to undergo surgery.
Guardiola acknowledged the significant impact of Rodri’s absence on the team but expressed his confidence in the squad’s ability to adapt. “Rodri is irreplaceable,” Guardiola said. “When a team doesn’t play with the best midfielder in the world for a long, long time, of course it is a big blow. But my duty is to find a solution so that we remain competitive as we have been for many years.”
🚨🔵 Pep Guardiola: “We will lose Rodri for a long time”.
“But there's some opinions that it will be less than we expect… we're waiting for the last phone calls and the type of surgery he needs”.
“We will know within 24h”, says via @City_Xtra. pic.twitter.com/I1BxQF8yNs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 24, 2024
Rodri has been a key figure in Manchester City’s recent success, playing a crucial role in the club’s record-breaking four consecutive Premier League titles. His performances for both club and country have also earned him recognition as a potential Ballon d’Or winner.
The injury comes at a critical time for Manchester City, who are aiming to defend their Premier League title and compete in multiple other competitions. Guardiola will need to find a way to replace Rodri’s influence in the midfield and ensure that the team remains competitive in his absence.
