“We have alternatives” - Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola names 5 players who can step up in Rodri’s absence following severe injury blow
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that midfielder Rodri will miss the rest of the season due to an ACL injury. He then named five players who could help the side fill in the huge gap left by the Spaniard's absence.
Rodri suffered a knee injury during City's 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Etihad in the Premier League on September 22. He had to be subbed off and it was later confirmed that he had suffered an ACL injury. He recently underwent surgery and is now out for the season.
Manchester City will next face Newcastle United at St. James' Park in the Premier League on Saturday, September 28. In his pre-match press conference, Guardiola spoke about how he would look to replace Rodri, saying (via City_Xtra):
"A lot of months without an important player for us, everybody knows it. And like all the teams want, a speedy recovery for next season to compete against them. When you have an ACL and you are out for eight or nine months, the year after you have muscular problems. That's why it's longer. I think Rodri will come back to his best after not just eight or nine months, but it is what it is.
"As a club, we have magnificent players and we will find a solution. It's one of them [Rico Lewis with Mateo Kovacic]. We have a few more. [Ilkay] Gundo can play in that position, John [Stones] and Manu [Akanji] have played in that position. So we have alternatives."
Rodri has been a key player for Manchester City since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2019. He is unbeaten in his last 52 Premier League appearances, which provides evidence of his importance to the side.
Manchester City have made an excellent start to the season
The Cityzens are still unbeaten across all competitions after having played eight games this season. Manchester City started the campaign with a penalty shootout win over rivals Manchester United at Wembley in the FA Community Shield. They then beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in their Premier League opener.
City then beat Ipswich Town 4-1 at home, West Ham United 3-1 away and Brentford 2-1 at home before playing out two draws. They first played out a goalless draw against Inter Milan at home in the UEFA Champions League league phase. They then drew 2-2 against Arsenal at home in the Premier League.
Manchester City then beat Watford 2-1 in the EFL Cup third to set up a fourth-round clash at Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round. City sit atop the Premier League standings, one point above Liverpool and Aston Villa.