“Injuries imbalance the team” – Rodri makes transfer plea to Hugo Viana after Chelsea draw | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has admitted that ongoing injury absences have derailed his side from producing their best form of late.

City lost further ground in the Premier League title race as Enzo Fernandez’s 94th minute goal secured a vital point for Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening, with Arsenal now leading Pep Guardiola’s side by six points in the table.

The Gunners have been next to flawless so far this season as they vie for a first Premier League title in 22 years, though Manchester City slowly but surely reminded the rest of the division about their prospects in the closing months of 2025.

The jury remains out on whether the Blues can go on and pip the high-flying north Londoners but Guardiola will be left concerned after dropping four points in four days against Sunderland and Chelsea – results that have furthered the gap between the title chasers and Arsenal.

There was a major positive for Manchester City at the weekend as the visit from Chelsea marked Rodri’s first start in three months, with Nico Gonzalez missing from the matchday squad after going off with injury against Sunderland.

The 29-year-old has endured a difficult 15 months with recurring injuries, with Gonzalez establishing himself as a capable stand-in for Rodri since the latter suffered a hamstring injury against Brentford in October.

Rodri was somewhat far from his usual, flowing best against Chelsea and will expectedly take time to return to his imperious self, having reflected on Sunday’s disappointing draw with Chelsea in conversation with Sky Sports.

“It’s frustrating but is what it is. We created enough to win 3-0, 4-0, but this is football. If you don’t take chances, with nothing they draw. We have to learn,” the Ballon d’Or winner said.

“There’s still a long way and we just need to focus on the next games. First half was brilliant, enough to score three or four. In the second we forgot a little how to play and they got control, losing easy balls.

“Sometimes when you defend, defend, defend, they didn’t have much but get a draw. There’s still a long way. Injuries unbalance the team, every time a player goes (injured) but we have to adjust.

“It’s not an excuse, we have enough talent to play but second half we lose face a bit. We move on, next game against Brighton and we have to win. This season is going to be long so we have to keep going.”

City saw Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias join John Stones on the injury list against Chelsea, with Nathan Ake also an unreliable stand-in when it comes to fitness as director of football Hugo Viana maps the club’s strategy for the ongoing window.