Manchester City are set to be without Rodri for a long time, after reports surfaced today about the injury he suffered against Arsenal.
The midfielder limped off against the Gunners on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium, after going down when attacking a corner.
Rodri, who was making his first Premier League start of the season, needed treatment for several minutes before leaving the field.
Fans had hoped that him limping off, as opposed to leaving on a stretcher, was a positive sign.
However, today it was reported that Rodri is now set to miss the rest of the season, with everything pointing to him tearing his ACL. The news has obviously left many fans absolutely gutted.
City are yet to put out an official statement, but the club will surely communicate with fans very soon.
As everyone knows, Rodri is an incredible player and one statistic is currently doing the rounds that really emphasises the blow City have just suffered.
Man City have lost just one of their last 76 games with Rodri
City fans had everything crossed that Rodri’s injury was not going to be as bad as first feared.
There were suggestions earlier today from Spain that Rodri himself felt ‘optimistic’ about the injury.
But he now looks like he will be out for some time – and there is no getting away from how big a blow this is for City.
The 28-year-old is a hugely influential player, and has been spoken about by many in recent times as the best holding midfielder in the world.
To put it into perspective just what a huge loss this is, a statistic is doing the rounds on social media right now about the star’s recent record.
As per Stat Muse, City have lost just one of their 76 games with Rodri in their team – that one defeat, of course, was the FA Cup final against Manchester United back in May.
City have great alternatives, but no one can do what Rodri does
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There are undoubtedly some great players Pep can turn to for that number six position.
But there is no doubt about it – no one else in the squad is capable of doing what Rodri is. The star has become a complete player in the last two years.
Not only does he dominate games and provide a defensive shield, he also contributes goals and assists. He got 23 involvements last term.
Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones, Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva are all options to play in defensive midfield. Exciting youngster Nico O’Reilly could also be an option.
But none of these individuals can bring what Rodri can, and it is truly a devastating blow.
