Manchester City’s recent 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth highlights just how much they miss the influence of Rodri in the midfield.
Pep Guardiola has previously compared Rodri’s significance to that of Lionel Messi, emphasizing that the team is “less strong” without him. Frank Lampard has also praised Rodri as “the best midfield player in the world,” and Ian Wright pointed out that Rodri’s injury is a “massive problem” for City. Although City’s impressive unbeaten run this season might have suggested they could cope without Rodri, consecutive losses to Tottenham and Bournemouth underscore his vital role.
Jacob Wright: A Possible Solution for City’s Midfield
While the team has struggled to fill Rodri’s role, one standout from the Spurs game was 19-year-old Jacob Wright. Former EDS manager Brian Barry-Murphy described Wright as a “highly technical player,” comparing him to Jorginho due to his positioning and skills. Although Wright played further up against Tottenham, he looked comfortable and almost scored twice, showing signs of confidence and creativity.
During the Bournemouth loss, City’s midfield struggled with duels, especially players like Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, and Phil Foden. According to Sofascore data, their duel success was disappointing:
| Player | Duels Won (Ground and Aerial) |
|---|---|
| Mateo Kovacic | 2/6 |
| Bernardo Silva | 3/6 |
| Phil Foden | 5/10 |
| Ilkay Gundogan | 4/5 |
Guardiola acknowledged that Bournemouth’s intensity overwhelmed City, further weakened by injuries and a physically struggling squad. Unlike the older midfielders—Kovacic (30), Bernardo (30), and Gundogan (34)—Wright is young, energetic, and eager to make an impact. In Rodri’s absence, Kovacic and Gundogan have filled in but are not natural holding midfielders. Wright’s cameo against Tottenham showed his sharpness, direct play, and fearless approach.
City’s midfield could benefit from a fresh injection of energy, as Wright might offer a similar spark to what Rico Lewis provided in defense last season. Guardiola could consider giving Wright a start in the holding midfield position; if it doesn’t work out, he’ll at least gain experience. With City’s current midfield options struggling, giving Wright a chance seems like a calculated risk worth taking.
Guardiola’s High Praise for Wright
Guardiola was vocal in his admiration for Wright after his senior debut in City’s 5-0 FA Cup win over Huddersfield last season. “Jacob has been training with us and has been progressing really well,” said Guardiola, adding, “That is what the academy is for… to provide players to play minutes when we need them.” Guardiola commended the academy’s efforts in preparing players, emphasizing that Wright and others have “earned and won” their opportunities.
While Guardiola might believe Wright is still developing, there’s no better way to gauge his readiness than by giving him game time. Wright shows promise as a defensive midfielder, and like Phil Foden and Rico Lewis before him, a trial by fire might be the best way to see if he’s ready for the big stage.
