Some Manchester City fans are calling for the club to dip into the January transfer market to find a replacement for Rodri, who is facing a potentially season-ending injury due to knee ligament damage. However, those hoping for a new signing might need to brace for disappointment.
The club is reeling after Rodri’s weekend injury, with tests showing he will need surgery and could be out for months, possibly the rest of the season. While the initial results were mixed, and there’s still hope for a more positive outcome, City are preparing for the worst. They have yet to confirm how long he’ll be sidelined, waiting for further tests to determine the full extent of his ligament damage.
In the meantime, Pep Guardiola is tasked with finding a way to cope without his “irreplaceable” midfielder. City have several players in both midfield and defense who can step up to fill the gap, but Rodri’s absence is a major blow. While Guardiola is confident in the squad’s ability to adjust, some fans and pundits are questioning whether City will turn to the January transfer window to find a solution—especially since they passed on signing a defensive midfielder in the summer.
City rarely make winter signings, preferring to do business in the summer when they feel the market offers better value. The last time the club made a significant January move was in 2018, when Aymeric Laporte joined the squad. Sporting Director Txiki Begiristain prefers to stick with the squad they’ve built in the summer for the entire season, and he expressed confidence in the depth of the team at the Champions League draw this year, saying, “We have a balanced squad, deep enough to compete in many competitions.”
Of course, that statement came before Rodri’s injury. Guardiola, too, was satisfied with the squad but hinted at some second thoughts, admitting, “Maybe it was a mistake” not to replace Julian Alvarez. His comments reflected City’s willingness to work with a smaller squad, but also left the door slightly ajar for January business if injuries mount up.
“I’m happy with the squad,” Guardiola said after the summer window closed, pointing out that they have various options for filling gaps, including Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva. But he added, “If we have many injuries it will be a problem… maybe it’s a mistake, but I like to work with a smaller squad. I don’t like to leave players without playing for a long time.”
Guardiola prefers a tighter-knit team where everyone has a role, suggesting that adding another player midseason could disrupt that balance. Yet, he also acknowledged that January provides another opportunity, saying, “If I’m not convinced and Txiki isn’t convinced, it’s better to wait. In winter, we have another chance.”
Applying this philosophy to Rodri’s situation, it’s likely Guardiola will stick with the squad he has rather than rush into a signing. The risk of bringing in a new player for the short term is that it could create complications down the line when Rodri returns, or even hamper the development of younger talents like Oscar Bobb.
When Bobb was sidelined at the start of the season, Guardiola hinted at possible January transfers, saying: “Maybe or maybe not [we’ll sign a replacement], we will see… I’m really pleased with the squad I have, but we will see what happens in the market.”
Rodri’s case is more urgent, but City’s reluctance to enter the January market suggests any move would be carefully considered rather than reactive. Guardiola will likely share a similar sentiment when he faces the media later this week.
