Man City’s collapse: Just How Crucial Is Rodri to Pep Guardiola’s team?

Manchester City have been without Rodri since September 2024, and his absence has been impossible to ignore.

The Spanish midfielder suffered a season-ending injury during a heated Premier League clash against Arsenal - a moment that shifted the course of City’s campaign.

A season-defining blow

Before that fateful game, Pep Guardiola’s side had been in dominant form, winning five consecutive matches across all competitions.

Despite their reputation as one of Europe’s elite teams, the moment Rodri went down, there was an overwhelming sense that it could trigger the beginning of their downfall.

Unfortunately for City, those fears proved justified. His injury ruled him out for the rest of the season, and as many predicted, the reigning champions were never quite the same.

While City didn’t instantly fall apart, the impact of his absence was immediately undeniable. Wins didn’t come as easily, and the once-fluid midfield began to unravel.

A void yet to be filled

Since Rodri’s anterior cruciate ligament injury in September, Manchester City have struggled to find a suitable replacement.

Their expected goals per game have plummeted from 2.47 to 1.5, while their win percentage has dropped from 75% to 50%.

More than just numbers, it often feels like Guardiola’s side have been playing without a midfield altogether.

Rodri is a No. 6 - arguably the best in the world.

Operating as a lone six under Guardiola, he sits at the heart of midfield, tasked with excelling in both pressing and possession.

It’s not just about being versatile, physical, and intelligent. His passing range and positional awareness must be flawless - and they are.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has mastered every aspect of his role.

Despite being a defensive midfielder, he’s an excellent dribbler, and his late runs into the box make him a surprising but consistent goal threat.

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Money can’t buy you happiness

As the January transfer window approached, it was evident that Manchester City needed to bolster their squad - not just significantly, but wisely.

Perhaps taking a leaf from their rivals in a deeper shade of blue over in West London, the reigning champions were unafraid to spend big, despite it being the winter window.

They invested over €218 million in new signings - not only the highest amount for any club in the English top flight but comfortably more than any other club worldwide.

Given their complete drop in form and quality following Rodri’s ACL injury, this spending spree made complete sense.

Unfortunately for Guardiola, his issues have been widespread across the field. Midfield, attack, and the backline have all been shaky - areas Rodri, a defensive midfielder, was able to stabilize.

Remember that 1.5 goals scored per game statistic? Well, that’s also the average number of goals City concede per game.

Omar Marmoush was brought in from Eintracht Frankfurt for €75 million - a highly coveted forward whose speed and technique will undoubtedly deliver for City as he integrates into the squad.

The club also made an intriguing deadline day signing of central midfielder Nico Gonzalez from Porto for a further €60 million to provide extra support in the final third.

Central defenders were also added to the squad - Vitor Reis from Palmeiras and Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens.

The pair are young, but considering the injury woes plaguing City’s defence, they may find themselves featuring in the first team more than expected.

Can City survive without Rodri?

Khusanov himself made an immediate debut against Chelsea in January 2025, but the 20-year-old defender from Uzbekistan made a mistake that led to Chelsea's opening goal.

Marmoush has been a positive change in City’s attack, posing a threat, although he has yet to register a goal.

As for Guardiola’s squad as a whole, it is now as clear as daylight that some players simply cannot be replaced.

Rodri was the glue that held the team together, providing great assistance in the backline, midfield, and attack.

Just how long can City hold on until the Spaniard is back? Will his absence lead to the 2023 treble winners not qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 14 years?

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