One Manchester City midfielder will have a crucial role to play to give Rodri the time he needs to get fit | OneFootball

One of the positives to emerge from the FIFA Club World Cup for Manchester City was the return to the pitch of Rodri. Manchester City’s midfield general showed signs in the United States that he will return to his best. But he will need time to get back to full fitness. Jack Gaughan reported for the Daily Mail that Rodri complained of fitness issues ahead do Manchester City’s 4-3 defeat to Al Hilal in their round of 16 fixture. The Spanish international was substituted during extra time of that match in Orlando.

What Rodri’s injury concern highlights is that he needs time to get back to full fitness. But unlike last season, Manchester City do have a player who can step in and provide quality cover while Rodri takes the time he needs to get back to full fitness. Tijjani Reijnders would seemingly have a vital role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side which will aid Rodri’s recovery.

Tijjani Reijnders showed what he can add to the Manchester City squad at the Club World Cup.

Versatile midfielder Tijjani Reijnders had an impressive FIFA Club World Cup campaign for his new team. The Dutch international was signed by Manchester City from AC Milan during the first transfer window of the summer. Reijnders was signed as a player who can step in and contribute right away for Pep Guardiola’s side. He showed in the United States that he could and will likely do just that.

In the United States, Tijjani Reijnders played in a host of midfield roles. He played as a number six, and also in a more advanced role. But when he played as a number six he showed that he has the ability in possession to be a vital asset for Manchester City. With his exceptional passing ability and his capability of driving with the ball in midfield Reijnders showed that he can step into the number six role when required. That is the type of player that Pep Guardiola’s squad lacked last season in Rodri’s absence. As Rodri needs time to get back to his best, it does now appear that Tijjani Reijnders can step in as a number six when required.

There is no need to rush Rodri back and he should be given the time he needs.

As Jack Gaughan reported, Rodri did pick up an injury concern at the FIFA Club World Cup. That wasn’t unexpected. Manchester City’s midfield general is coming back from a severe knee injury. It was to be expected that he would suffer the odd injury setback as he returns to the pitch. But Pep Guardiola does have capable cover in his sqaud to give Rodri the time he needs to get back to full fitness. It should be used instead of rushing Manchester City’s most important player back to action.

Tijjani Reijnders is seemingly a player who can take pressure off Rodri at the beginning of next season. The Dutch international has the quality to do that job. That was a positive to come out of Manchester City’s Club World Cup campaign as it now seems that City have a midfielder in Tijjani Reijnders who can drop in as a number six and do a serviceable job in the role when required.