Rodri's serious injury has become a headache for Man City and Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard once admitted that Rodri is an irreplaceable player at The Citizens. Pep highly appreciated the ability to control the match, the defensive strength and the intelligence of the EURO 2024 champion as unique.
Rodri is an all-round player in the role of defensive midfielder, outstanding for his ability to hold position, recover the ball and control the tempo of the match. Despite having names like Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, the Etihad team cannot fully recreate Rodri's role.
Kovacic excels in ball control under pressure but also often loses the ball, leaving the team vulnerable to counter-attacks. Nunes, meanwhile, is physically strong but lacks the stability to manage the game from the back.
Pep Guardiola clearly understands that his squad is lacking a "placed" defensive midfielder, rather than a player who likes to push up to find opportunities. Therefore, the question is who can take on the role of Rodri and match the 53-year-old coach's football philosophy?
In fact, Man City's analytics team has searched for players who are capable of playing under pressure and meeting strict tactical requirements, in order to solve Pep Guardiola's difficult problem.
1. Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)
Exequiel Palacios impressed with his ability to hold the ball extremely well when being approached by the opponent. However, the Argentine star tends to play the ball safely, with an average passing distance of only 13.6 m. This makes the 26-year-old midfielder more inclined to a supporting role than a game-changer.
However, Palacios' presence could bring stability in midfield, especially if Man City deploy a two-man midfield formation. He is not only strong in recovering the ball but also actively participates in the attack with effective short passes through the line.
2. Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart)
Angelo Stiller is a younger name, with a ball control style of play and good long passing ability. Although not physically outstanding, the 23-year-old midfielder shows potential in the role of an organizing midfielder. Statistics show that Stiller participated in 13.8% of Stuttgart's passes last season, reflecting his confidence and great responsibility in the game.
However, Stiller's limitation lies in his inexperience, especially in one-on-one tendencies. If given the opportunity at Man City, Stiller will need time to adapt and develop.
3. Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)
Martin Zubimendi stands out thanks to his ability to read the game and choose smart positions. The 25-year-old star replaced Rodri in the 2022-2023 Nations League final. However, his playing style is quite passive, with a low number of tackles compared to top defensive midfielders.
However, the Spanish star is still a strong candidate thanks to his ball retention, distribution and tactical flexibility. Convincing Zubimendi to leave Real Sociedad in the middle of the season could be a big challenge, but this is entirely possible with the attraction of the Etihad team.
4. Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
Bruno Guimaraes is a complete midfielder, with the ability to hold the ball, escape pressing and make a strong contribution in defense. Since joining Newcastle, he has proven himself to be one of the Premier League's top midfielders. The Brazilian star is also capable of taking on the role of "conductor" in midfield, connecting defense and attack.
However, Newcastle's high transfer fee and determination to keep the player could be a major obstacle in bringing Guimaraes to the Etihad. However, with his familiarity with the environment in English football, the 27-year-old midfielder could integrate quickly in the context of half of the season having passed.
