Caution is still needed with the fitness of Manchester City’s midfield general | OneFootball

Manchester City’s midfield is a much stronger unit with Rodri in the starting lineup. That isn’t a groundbreaking statement. It is just a simple fact that surrounds Pep Guardiola’s side. With Rodri on the pitch, the entire City side walks taller. That is evident whenever the current Ballon d’Or holder steps on the pitch with his teammates.

But as crucial as Rodri is to the Manchester City midfield, and Pep Guardiola’s side in general. Caution remains the order of the day with his fitness. The Spanish international asked to be substituted during Manchester City’s 2-nil win over Napoli at the Etihad on Thursday evening. This shows that City must remain cautious with Rodri’s fitness as he continues to work his way back from the season-ending knee injury he sustained last season.

Manchester City’s midfield general knows he must ease his way back into action.

In an interview relayed by Hayters TV, Rodri revealed that he isn’t worried about getting injured again. But he did caution that he has to be smart with how many minutes he plays. Speaking after Manchester City’s win over Napoli, he said: “To be honest, I’m not worried about that (getting injured again). I think the schedule now is a bit busy with three games, so try to be smart and don’t want to play every game. Be progressive. But I’m really happy, first because of the team and then individually because I’m feeling better every day.”

Pep Guardiola told the media following his team’s win over Napoli, that Manchester City are continuing to play it safe with Rodri’s fitness. He also informed the media that he was unsure if Rodri would start against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Guardiola explained: ” It’s a good question; I don’t know yet (If Rodri will start against Arsenal). But he was so smart. I know the result was not over, 1-0 is always tricky, but if he doesn’t feel good, always we try to talk. You have to sustain. And we felt that if he’s not comfortable, and it’s better.”

“We’ll see day by day, but what’s important is that he’s played already two games. Yesterday, for example, the training session he didn’t feel much comfortable, didn’t train good, but said, ‘No, no, I will be fine tomorrow’. And he played extraordinary like Rodri is.”

“With him on the pitch, we feel more comfortable. But of course, he’s come from a tough, tough injury, we have to be alert, and we will decide on Sunday how does he feel.”

Manchester City would love for Rodri to start against Arsenal, but they will take a cautious approach with the Ballon d’Or holder.

There is no doubt that Pep Guardiola would want Rodri to start against Arsenal. He would have a crucial role to play in midfield against Mikel Arteta’s side. But as big as Sunday’s match is, it is only the fifth Premier League match of the season. It isn’t as crucial a match as it would be if it was played later in the season. If Rodri’s body cannot handle starting a third game in such a short space of time, he won’t start. It’s as simple as that. That is the best approach for Manchester City with the fitness of their most important player.

The signs are there that Rodri is getting back to his best form. But Manchester City won’t want to see him suffer an injury setback. It is hoped he will start against Arsenal tomorrow. But this is entirely dependent on whether his body can get through a third start in a week. That won’t be known until the starting lineups for Sunday’s match at the Emirates Stadium are announced ahead of kickoff.