Manchester City will be better when Rodri returns but he can’t be expected to solve everything instantly | OneFootball

There is no doubt that when Rodri is fully fit that Manchester City are an infinitely better team. With Rodri on the pitch, there is a calmness to Pep Guardiola’s side and in the manner in which they play. Rodri’s technical and tactical ability also lifts Manchester City’s play and the Spanish midfielder has been an integral presence in City’s recent era of success. Rodri’s standing in the game as a Ballon d’Or winner and as one of the best midfielders in world football is well-established. That isn’t in question.

Watching City play currently, you can see that they will be a stronger team when Rodri returns to full fitness and can get through matches without any fitness issues. But when that point arrives remains to be seen. Rodri’s bid to return to full fitness after the severe knee injury he sustained last season remains an ongoing battle. When Rodri returns to the pitch he cannot be expected to solve Manchester City’s issues instantly. That isn’t a realistic expectation based on how this season has unfolded for Rodri.

Rodri is yet to get a proper run at playing for Manchester City this season.

Rodri has endured a frustrating 25/26 season to date. He has only made eight appearances in all competitions as he has suffered a string of frustrating injury setbacks since returning from the ACL injury he sustained last season. He has also missed Manchester City’s past six matches after coming on as a late substitute in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth at the beginning of November.

Rodri’s fitness plight is well-documented. Due to the injury setbacks he has suffered this season it isn’t fair to expect Rodri to instantly solve Manchester City’s issues on the pitch. He will need time to rediscover his touch and regain confidence in his body. When he has all of that back, City will be a better team. But there isn’t a set timeline for when all of that will occur. It will be an ongoing process but we have seen enough signs at the FIFA Club World Cup and when Rodri has been on the pitch that he will get back to his best. It will just take time for that to occur.

When Rodri is finally available for selection the possibility of him and Nico playing together may aid his comeback.

Getting Rodri fully fit and back to his best form is a priority for Manchester City. That isn’tin question. There likely isn’t a way to accelerate that process other than Rodri training regularly and gradually increasing his minutes on the pitch. But perhaps there is a solution when Rodri is on the pitch to ease the burden on him and help his team solidify their midfield.

So far this season Nico has risen to prominence as an integral player in Pep Guardiola’s squad. With Rodri and Mateo Kovacic unavailable, Nico has stepped into the role as Manchester City’s number six in midfield. His game has come on in leaps and bounds. Manchester City now have another bonafide and quality number six in their squad and perhaps playing Nico and Rodri together will aid Rodri’s return and strengthen City’s engine room.

Playing alongside Nico will ease the burden on Rodri. It would give Pep Guardiola’s side two midfielders who read the game exceptionally well and would fortify what looks to be an area of weakness in Manchester City’s play currently. It would appear that Nico and Rodri’s games complement each other as both players can get forward when needed and both know when to sit in midfield when City go forward. Those are just two of the tactical benefits of having Nico and Rodri in midfield for Manchester City.

The other benefit is this. With Nico alongside Rodri, Rodri doesn’t have to carry the heavy workload he has long carried in Manchester City’s midfield. As he works his way back to his best playing alongside Nico can only be of benefit to Rodri, and in turn, his team. It is one possibility that is in play when Rodri is finally fit again for selection for Pep Guardiola.

Summary.

Manchester City need Rodri back. There is no question about that. More importantly, they need him fully fit and capable of playing consistently. That will take time as we have seen throughout this season to date. Rodri won’t solve Manchester City’s issues instantly and he shouldn’t be expected to.

Playing alongside Nico in Manchester City’s midfield when Rodri is fit enough to play again could Rodri’s bid to return to his best. It would likely fortify Manchester City’s midfield and when Rodri finally returns it will be interesting to see if, and how often, the Spanish midfielders play together for Pep Guardiola’s side in midfield.