Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that he has a responsibility to find a way to deal with the absence of Rodri, who could miss the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury. The Spanish midfielder limped off during last Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League with a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
“Rodri will be out for a long, long time. Some opinions indicate that the time may be shorter than we expect, but unfortunately he has been injured. We’re waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors to find out exactly what the problem is and what kind of surgery is needed”, Guardiola said after the 2-1 win over Watford in the League Cup last Tuesday.
Guardiola acknowledged that Rodri’s absence is a big blow, but maintains confidence in the competitiveness of City, who have won four consecutive Premier League titles. “We’ll have a good season, I have a lot of confidence in my players. It’s my job to find a solution”, he added.
Considered irreplaceable, Rodri has been tipped for this year’s Ballon d’Or after his crucial role in City and Spain’s success at Euro-2024. The former Atlético Madrid player has only missed one match in his last 84 appearances for club and country.