Manchester City fans are still not quite over the fact that Rodri has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
The midfielder has established himself as an integral part of Manchester City’s starting XI over the last few years, and has played a crucial role in the club’s dominance.
A few weeks ago though, after expressing his concerns about players playing too many games, Rodri succumbed to a serious knee injury in the game with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
He hobbled off after going down from a corner, and days later it was reported he had suffered knee ligament damage. The club then confirmed it, and Rodri has already undergone surgery.
City are now trying to navigate without their midfield general, and it could take some time for the team to adapt, as was shown against Fulham on Saturday.
Looking back on the game, pundit Danny Higginbotham spotted something worrying for Pep Guardiola amid the absence of Rodri.
Danny Higginbotham outlines Rodri absence issue for Man City
The former Premier League defender was speaking about Saturday’s game, and felt something was happening against Fulham that rarely does when Rodri plays.
In his eyes, those in the backline really did not look all that comfortable.
He said on The 2 Robbies Podcast: “Very rarely have you seen Manchester City centre-backs panicking in terms of running back towards their own goal.
“Usually you have the main guy, the best central midfielder in the world (Rodri), the second line of defence in midfield… that for me is a game-changer. Not just because of the gravitas of how unbelievably good he is as a footballer.
“But I think in order to deal with him being out, you have to get two players to do that job. I think that affects you going forward. I just think there’s a huge knock-on effect there.”
The man Higginbotham was speaking to was fellow pundit Robbie Earle, who thinks John Stones could replace Rodri.
How Rodri ranked in the Premier League in 2023/24
News of Rodri’s injury came as a devastating blow to City fans, and this season will now be extremely interesting with him being unable to play any part.
Last term, Rodri was a huge presence in City’s midfield in the Premier League.
| Possession won | 235 (2nd) |
| Touches | 3988 (1st) |
| Carries | 2513 (1st) |
| Passes into final third | 378 (1st) |
| Progressive passes | 376 (1st) |
Without any doubt, it is a blow for City to lose him and especially for this length of time.
City may have beaten Fulham at the weekend but it just didn’t seem comfortable without the Spanish star providing that protection in front of the defence.
That said, Guardiola said that Manchester City didn’t necessarily miss Rodri against Fulham, and also pointed out the fact the team have won two and drawn two without him.
For all of Rodri’s brilliant attributes though, he does just bring that calmness and composure in the middle, which does rub off on those around him.
