Rodri return leaves Pep Guardiola glowing over Manchester City’s future prospects | OneFootball

The return of Rodri to Pep Guardiola’s options this week has left the Catalan coach excited about what the future could bring for his Manchester City side.

City continue Premier League action knowing they remain firmly in the title picture despite recent frustration away from home having been held to a 0-0 draw by a resilient Sunderland side on Thursday night.

That goalless draw followed somewhat of a pattern seen across the season on various occasions, where City’s overall control and defensive stability have improved, but efficiency in front of goal has occasionally lagged behind Pep Guardiola’s exacting standards.

However, the second-half display at the Stadium of Light – aided by key substitutions – offered renewed confidence ahead of a demanding run of fixtures. Central to that optimism has been the return of Rodri, whose absence for much of the season has been repeatedly referenced by Guardiola as a defining factor in City’s fluctuating performances.

The Spaniard’s reintroduction, even in a managed capacity following the substitution of Nico Gonzalez owing to injury at the half-time interval, has altered both the rhythm and authority of Manchester City’s midfield.

Speaking to reporters ahead of City’s return to Premier League action at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola was quizzed for an assessment on the title race at the halfway stage, particularly after the 0-0 draw at Sunderland on Thursday night.

“Well, we are there. It’s a long way, many games, and I know we have to [improve]. Arsenal is so strong, we know it,” insisted Guardiola.

“But, yeah, when sometimes you play disappointed and you don’t play good. But today we were incredible in the second half, against that side [Sunderland], against that side, against that team.

“It was really really good; how the defenders, all of them, the impact from Josko [Gvardiol] in the second half was incredible, too. In general, the guys who came from the bench made an incredible contribution to help us. Really good.”

Quizzed on the subject of Rodri’s return, Guardiola said, “It’s always what we are looking for, but I would say you have to wait a little bit, because he’s come [back] from one year and a half, come back, you know, forwards and backwards, you have to be careful.

“But of course, the schedule is the schedule, and you have to be. Always with Rodri on the pitch, we are better. I’m not saying [anything about] Nico; without him it would not be possible, because [Mateo] Kovacic is not there anymore, for a long time [out] as well, and Nico has been outstanding.

“But, you know, Rodri is Rodri, everybody knows it, and we are better and the people feels better. But, we have to be careful. You have to be careful.”

Looking ahead, Pep Guardiola’s comments reinforce a theme that has run through his recent media duties in that Manchester City believe they are building towards their strongest version as the season progresses.

With key players gradually returning and younger squad members gaining experience, the manager has stressed patience over urgency.

Rodri’s managed reintegration is expected to continue across the coming weeks, particularly with Chelsea and Brighton looming in quick succession. If City can balance caution with competitiveness, Guardiola appears confident that his side’s best football may still lie ahead.