Manchester City announced this week that star midfielder Rodri is facing time on the sidelines due to ligament damage in his right knee. The news has raised concerns about how City will manage without their midfield powerhouse.
Former City defender and pundit Micah Richards believes Ilkay Gundogan could be the solution to City’s midfield problem in Rodri’s absence. Gundogan, who returned to Manchester this summer from Barcelona, might just be the key to filling the gap left by the injured Spaniard.
During City’s 2-1 League Cup victory over Watford, Pep Guardiola gave an update on Rodri’s condition, saying, “Still we don’t have the definitive [diagnosis] but he will be out for a long time – a while. But there are some opinions that maybe it will be less than we expected. We are waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors for what definitely he has and the type of surgery he has to get. We expect that tonight, tomorrow we will know exactly.”
While some fans may be anxious about how City will cope, Richards sees Gundogan as a potential game-changer. Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Richards said, “It’s staggering, [Rodri’s] the best holding midfielder in world football, and I think we all agree on that. But I think getting Gundogan back was a bit of a masterstroke, even though they didn’t expect Rodri to get injured.”
Richards also reminded listeners that City has Matheus Nunes, who was signed from Wolves, and though he hasn’t quite hit his stride yet, Richards remains optimistic about his potential. “People forget they’ve still got Matheus Nunes… he’s a very good player. But in terms of assisting the way that Man City want to play… Nunes hasn’t stepped up enough yet with the games he’s been given, and it’s been difficult.”
Discussing Rodri’s importance to the team, Richards expressed his frustration at the injury, emphasizing the midfielder’s ability to control games. “Rodri’s a huge miss… it’s not just his stature, it’s not just his passing, he knows the tactical plan, he controls the tempo of football matches and not a lot of players can do that.”
Richards highlighted how Rodri’s positioning and ball control help City escape high-pressure situations and launch attacks. “When the opposing team is pressing… Rodri just somehow manages to wiggle his way out and starts an attack for City. So yeah, I’m absolutely devastated for him.”
Following the initial diagnosis, City confirmed that Rodri has traveled to Spain to seek specialist consultation. The club added, “Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the injury and expected prognosis. Everyone at the Club wishes him a speedy recovery.”
