Gareth Barry Exclusive: How Manchester City can sustain Premier League challenge amid Rodri injuries | OneFootball

Former Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has given his two cents on how the holding midfielder role has evolved since his retirement in 2020 and why Rodri’s fitness is so important for Pep Guardiola and co.

Barry arrived at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2009 and was a key part of the side that won the Premier League under Roberto Mancini in the 2011-12 season. The 53-cap former England international made a record 653 appearances in the Premier League and an impressive 175 appearances for the Blues.

The 44-year-old was an ever-present at the heart of City’s midfield, making over 30 league appearances in each of his four seasons in Manchester and averaging just under 44 appearances in all competitions. Following his departure, the midfield burden was placed on the likes of Fernandinho and more recently, Rodri.

Rodri has averaged over 50 appearances per season since his arrival to the Etihad Stadium from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019, scoring the winner in the 2023 Champions League final and becoming the first player in Manchester City history to win the Ballon d’Or in 2024.

Unfortunately, this intense physical demands of professional football have taken their toll on City’s number 16, who has made just 16 appearances for the Blues in the last 18 months, having ruptured his ACL in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in September 2024.

Speaking to OLBG on behalf of City Xtra, Barry was asked about the development of the holding midfield role over time. “I just think that position in world football has now become probably one of the most important roles on the pitch,” Barry said.

“Ultimately, you’re coming on and you’re linking the defence to the midfield and also you’re getting asked to chip in with goals now. Look at Rodri and players like that, they’re coming up with the goals too. But yes, you’re pretty much the manager on the pitch.”

Barry also noted an important tactical aspect of playing in defensive midfield. “When I was playing it, so much of the tactics were put through you because you’re in that position where you are available to speak to the defence, midfield and the attack. You’re starting moves, you’re breaking up moves,” the Englishman added.

The Premier League winner then touched on how Manchester City can cope with the loss of Rodri, who is yet to return to his best and has missed the last few months of action after sustaining a hamstring pull in early October.

“There is a lot of impetus on that position and you’ve seen it when big players like Rodri are out of the team, the records are there to show that these players are missed,” Barry said.

“So the proof is in the pudding if you like – that it’s so important these players can try and stay fit. That’s what Man City are slightly missing at the minute, in a season where they’re probably in transition, they look at the table at the minute and still only two points behind.

“So Pep will be quietly happy, I should imagine, because there’s not much noise about them winning the title, yet they’re still there (in second place in the Premier League, two points behind Arsenal).”

Perhaps one caveat that Barry underemphasised is the remarkable rise of Nico Gonzalez this season. The former Barcelona youngster has put together a string of strong performances at the base of the midfield in Rodri’s absence, allowing City to evolve their style of play and find great success in recent months – hence they are still very much in a title race.