“I love that!” – Pep Guardiola reveals new Rodri role in Manchester City team despite injury recovery | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has discussed the new role played by Rodri within the first-team set-up while the Spaniard continues to recover from injury.

The reigning Ballon d’Or winner has been a regular feature on the sidelines with Manchester City and in the dressing room since he returned to England following the initial stages of his rehabilitation process in Spain at the turn of the year.

Rodri has been ruled out for the large majority of the ongoing season with an ACL injury that required surgery last September, but has worked tirelessly to return to action for the club before the end of the ongoing season including the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.

Tuesday night saw the 28-year-old feature heavily alongside Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City teammates from the Etihad Stadium dugout in a dramatic 2-1 win over Aston Villa to significantly boost the club’s chances of Champions League qualification.

Now, speaking during his pre-match press conference from the City Football Academy on Friday afternoon, Guardiola discussed the role currently being played by Rodri from the sidelines as he continues to recover from injury.

“I love that! All the guys who don’t play with injuries, if they feel and I allow them to be a manager… So the role of a holding midfielder, Rodri knows perfectly and he can help the guys there,” Guardiola said.

The Manchester City manager continued, “It’s the way that creates the teams, the bonds, something special, when the guys who don’t play or are injured can help the guys who are playing.

“Because everybody wants to join next season being in Europe, and if they believe that it’s just for the 11 players playing, they are wrong. So I like it, I like a lot!”

For now, it remains to be seen whether there is any chance of Rodri featuring for the club again this season, although the star defensive midfielder is maintaining work on the pitch with the ball at his feet both individually and alongside selected teammates.

The last major update from Manchester City concerning the midfielder showcased him running out on the surface at the City Football Academy, with little footage surfacing since the end of February.