Manchester City midfielder Rodri has sustained a long-term injury. (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City’s midfield maestro Rodri is reportedly sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an injury sustained in the clash against Arsenal. This development could significantly impact the Premier League title race.
Pep Guardiola may have to navigate the rest of the season without his key player, with no natural substitute available. City had acquired Kalvin Phillips as a backup for Rodri, but this move has not panned out as expected.
Mateo Kovacic, who replaced Rodri during Sunday’s match at the Etihad Stadium, could be a potential regular replacement. Summer signing from Barcelona, Ilkay Gundogan, is another option.
Without Rodri, City’s vulnerability increases. The Spanish player is widely regarded as the best in his position globally.
Since Rodri’s transfer from Atletico Madrid to City for approximately £62million in 2019, the team’s performance with and without him underscores his influence. In the 260 matches he has played across all competitions, Guardiola’s squad has won 74 per cent, drawn 15 per cent and lost a mere 11 per cent.
In contrast, they have only secured victory in 64 per cent of the 45 games without him, drawing 11 per cent and losing 24 per cent. Since Rodri’s debut in the 2019-20 season, City have clinched 129 wins out of a possible 174 Premier League matches, with 26 draws and just 19 losses.
Man City midfielder Rodri is expected to miss the rest of the season through injury in a massive blow to Liverpool’s title rivals (Image: Getty Images)
Rodri boasts an unbeaten streak in his last 51 league games – his last defeat was against Tottenham in February 2023. This is the longest record held by any player in Europe’s top five leagues since his arrival in the Premier League.
Overall, City have a win percentage of 74 per cent when Rodri is on the field, compared to a 62 per cent success rate in its top-flight matches without the Spanish player. He was absent for the first three matches of this season, which City won nonetheless.
In the Premier League, City have recorded 13 wins, one draw and seven losses when he has been sidelined. On average, Guardiola’s team has scored 2.37 points per game when Rodri is playing but only 1.86 when he is unavailable.
Although the sample size is currently small, it is set to increase. Liverpool and Arsenal should be ready to seize the opportunity.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1952371/Man-City-Rodri-injury-record-Arsenal-news