Manchester City’s recent Champions League draw with Monaco has cast a spotlight on a pressing issue within Pep Guardiola’s squad: the lack of a clear long-term successor for Rodri. While the Spanish international continues his careful reintegration following a serious knee injury, his absence has revealed a significant void in the center of the park.
Rodri’s current physical limitations are being managed carefully, with his playing time restricted to avoid overexertion. This phased approach is standard for a player returning from such a significant setback, with the club confident he will eventually return to his peak form. However, his unavailability for multiple matches in a week has forced a rotation that has proven problematic.
The situation was highlighted in Monaco when Nico González, brought on as a substitute, conceded a late penalty with a reckless challenge, costing his team a victory. While the young midfielder has shown improvement this season, his decision-making in critical moments raises questions about his readiness to anchor a midfield competing for the highest honors.
Other options within the squad also present complications. Mateo Kovacic offered a combative presence during Rodri’s initial layoff but, at 31, does not represent a future solution. Tijjani Reijnders, meanwhile, operates in a more advanced role and lacks the defensive discipline required for the holding position.
This is not a new challenge for the club. The departure of Kalvin Phillips, who struggled to adapt to the role’s demands, underscored the difficulty in finding an understudy for a player of Rodri’s caliber. His unique blend of defensive solidity and playmaking ability has made direct replacements exceptionally hard to identify.
Despite these midfield concerns, the team’s attack remains formidable, with Erling Haaland’s remarkable goal-scoring form—11 goals in eight appearances this season—papering over some underlying issues. However, reliance on such individual brilliance is not a sustainable strategy for a club with City’s ambitions.
The recruitment department now faces a critical task. Potential targets like Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson or Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are seen as possessing the right profile—young, technically gifted, and suited to the Premier League’s intensity. The search is complex, as finding a player who can both compete with and eventually succeed Rodri is one of the most significant strategic puzzles the club must solve in the coming transfer windows.
