The Spanish player last played in a competitive game in the Euro 2024 final, where Martin Zubimendi came in at halftime to replace him as Spain beat England 2-1 in Berlin.
Rodri's problem wasn't too bad, but he and the other three finalists in Euro 2024—John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Phil Foden—took a long break and didn't play in any preseason games.
Rodri also didn't play in last weekend's Community Shield win over Manchester United. Guardiola said before the game that Rodri had "no chance" of playing against Enzo Maresca's team.
Rodri is one of the best, if not the best, lynchpins in the world and a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or in 2024. When he's not playing, the Premier League winners are not at their best, which is a rare but crushing blow.
Without Rodri, Man City has lost seven of its 18 games.
When the former Atletico Madrid player was on the team, City won 128 of the 172 Premier League games since 2019–20. They've drawn 25 games and lost only 19.
With a win percentage of 74.4%, that number is impressive, and so are their 409 points. However, they have only won 55.6% of their top-flight games without Rodri.
This season, Rodri has missed 18 Premier League games. During that time, the defending winners have won 10, drawn 1, and lost 7, earning 31 points and losing 23.
When Rodri is healthy, City scores 2.38 points per game, but only 1.72 when he's not. His loss was felt a few times last season.
In fact, City lost three of the four Premier League games Rodri wasn't playing because he was suspended. They lost to Arsenal, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Aston Villa.
Before those losses in the Premier League, City lost to Newcastle United early in the EFL Cup without Rodri. However, they beat Luton Town 5-1 without him, even though he was a replacement.
Who will play in Rodri's place for the Chelsea game?
Rodri isn't available, and City let Kalvin Phillips, who would have been a natural alternative for him, go on loan to Ipswich Town. However, Guardiola can still call on an embarrassing number of players.
Mateo Kovacic or Matheus Nunes could fill in at Stamford Bridge, with Bernardo Silva and/or Kevin De Bruyne finishing a central trident. Mateo Kovacic could also play out wide instead of the injured Oscar Bobb.
If Guardiola wants a more natural number six, he could choose Maximo Perrone, who is 21 years old, but the Argentine is likely to wait to start his first Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.
Guardiola needed to be more transparent about whether Walker, Foden, and Stones would be able to play on Sunday, but he has said that they will only start. Rodri is out.
0 Comments