In the last 14 months, the Spanish midfielder has remained largely sidelined due to an ACL injury suffered in a match with Arsenal, managing just 588 minutes in the colors of Manchester City as a result of recurring issues, the last of which excluded him from the midweek 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Although Pep Guardiola has mentioned that “he is not expected to be sidelined long,” the 29-year-old stands as crucial to the manager’s system. Here, we evaluate the replacements …
Nico Gonzalez
“The go-to alternative in the event that Rodri cannot play is absolutely Nico. Nico is making improvement,” the City manager stated ahead of Sunday’s 3-1 success against Bournemouth. Measuring 6ft 2in and only 23 when acquired for £49.8m from Porto this season, González is a near carbon copy of Rodri. In fact, Guardiola described the ex- Barcelona player as a “mini-Rodri” previously, yet in the match with Bournemouth there were moments when he was pressured and turned over in midfield in a way Rodri, at his peak, would avoid. It is no disgrace, nevertheless, in failing to be in the same league as the Ballon d’Or winner.
The Croatian Veteran
The ongoing unavailability of City’s other holding midfielder due to an ankle injury will be a strain for City should Nico also collect an injury during Rodri’s absence. Kovacic has impressed often for City since moving to the club from Chelsea for £25m in June 2023 and boasts a resume that makes clear he is a top-class talent. The Croatian’s former clubs encompass Dinamo Zagreb, Inter and Real Madrid. He holds a glut of titles to his name, including one La Liga title, one Premier League title and four Champions League victories.
Lewis
Lewis has recorded 103 appearances for City, nearly a quarter of which have been as a deep-lying playmaker. The local talent is versed in the 360-vision, technique, challenges and stamina the role demands in a Guardiola-led side, but the manager has highlighted Lewis’s 5ft 7in height as a limitation in that role. “It’s necessary to have strength, for clear reasons,” he said. “It was lower [needed] in Barcelona, Bayern Munich [Guardiola’s former teams].” Nearing 21 later this month, Lewis has time on his side and has room for development.
The Versatile Defender
“His contributions to the pitch is exceptional skill as a central defender and potentially as a crucial No 6.” The view expressed by Thomas Tuchel and it reflects Guardiola in regards to the ‘versatile star’. Among Stones’s 408 matches at club level, 27 have come as a deep midfielder and he excelled in that role when stepping up from central defence to play next to Rodri in City’s UCL final win over Inter. “The all-round vision was the most difficult for me,” Stones has said about playing in the position. “It’s not innate – I feel I’ve developed, but that’s from understanding where to take possession and how to receive it in specific scenarios.”
The Dutch Newcomer
The midfielder joined City from Milan in the summer as a stand-in for Kevin De Bruyne. As he put it himself at the recent Club World Cup: “Playing as an attacking midfielder is why they [City] signed me. My task is to fill the No 8 and give my all to prove that I deserve to start.” As Nico dealing with a fitness issue, the Dutch international started as a defensive midfielder in the previous 1-0 loss at Aston Villa and was shifted upfield when the Spanish player entered the field shortly after the second half, the incident offering a indication of where he ranks in Guardiola’s plans, specifically as a reserve.
Matheus Nunes
Of Brazilian origin Portugal international has featured in just nine times as a deep-lying midfielder throughout his career with the single game in the position for City taking place against Nottingham Forest in September 2023. He completed the entire match and contributed an assist in a 2-0 victory.
The Forgotten Man
The club’s forgotten man is only 29. He has also featured as a defensive midfielder on 164 instances during his career and did well enough in the role to be capped by England. Yet, it is apparent he does not have the confidence of Guardiola.
