Manchester City midfielder Rodri is arguably the best at what he does in world football. Fresh off the back of yet more success with City last season and with Spain at the Euros in the summer, it was expected the Spaniard would be back to lead the charge for Pep Guardiola’s side this term. But his season is already over due to a serious knee injury.

Rodri, 28, has been an ever-present for City in recent years and, alongside striker Erling Haaland, is arguably the most important player in Guardiola’s squad. So, naturally, losing him for an entire campaign is a major blow, proven by the change in Premier League betting odds where the title is concerned since the news broke.

Rodri joined City in 2019, and as well as being the dominant force in the middle of the park, using his physicality and defensive prowess to his and City’s advantage, the former Atletico Madrid man has also popped up with crucial goals season after season, impacting the game as much in the final third as he does defensively.

City have an excellent squad, one which is stacked with talent. But it’s clear nobody can do what Rodri has done consistently for a number of seasons. Mateo Kovacic has been getting the nod in Rodri’s place, and Ilkay Gundogan, Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis are also expected to be used in the role. However, Guardiola may look to the transfer market in January to ensure he’s got a more suitable replacement.

What could work against City is that teams will know they’re willing to pay due to Rodri’s influence on the team and how integral he’s been to their repeated success. Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is a player who’s already been linked with a switch, but Inter won’t be keen to sell one of their star men, not unless City pay in the region of £70 million.

Another player mentioned is one closer to home. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton has enjoyed a rapid rise to the top since swapping Blackburn Rovers for the Eagles, as he then made England’s Euro 2024 squad. He’s already tipped to play for a Champions League outfit in the not-too-distant future, and City could look to deal in January as he offers some of what Rodri provides. He’s a homegrown player, and he’s still only twenty years old, with the world at his feet.

It remains to be seen how Manchester City will react, as they may feel it’s not cost-effective to do business in January because when Rodri is back, they will be left with having to shake up their midfield. And they do currently have plenty of talent who can play in the middle of the park. One solution could be to attempt to sell Kalvin Phillips in January, potentially to Ipswich Town, where he’s currently starring on loan. That would give them the funds and wage budget required to act in their pursuit of Rodri’s replacement.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters

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