Manchester City plot meeting with Pep Guardiola to discuss future without Rodri

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City officials will reportedly sit down in the coming weeks to discuss plans for life without defensive midfielder Rodri.

The Spain international sustained a serious knee injury in the 21st minute of Manchester City’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday, replaced by Mateo Kovacic for the remainder of the contest.

Despite initial optimism in the aftermath of the contest, with Rodri spotted walking freely around the Etihad Stadium without the need for crutches, additional examinations have revealed significant damage that will likely rule the midfielder out for the rest of the season.

City have operated for much of the ongoing campaign without Rodri, having granted the Spaniard extended rest following last season’s performances for club and country, and have been faultless when operating with Kovacic as their number six.

However, the prospect of an entire remaining season without the 28-year-old has forced Manchester City to consider further plans of recruitment, which will be put to their head coach in the coming weeks.

According to the information of HITC’s Graeme Bailey, Manchester City’s hierarchy are set to meet with manager Pep Guardiola during the October international break to discuss immediate plans for the New Year, and whether or not to bring in additional cover for Rodri.

Despite a multitude of existing options, including players operating away from their natural positions, the report states that Manchester City will analyse solutions in the coming weeks to assess whether January transfer window reinforcements are required.

Manchester City explored the possibility of bringing in additional reinforcements in the defensive midfield role during the summer transfer window, but failed to find a suitable profile within their own budget.

The chance to re-sign Ilkay Gundogan emerged at the end of the summer transfer window, and Manchester City moved fast to ensure that the German international returned to the club, whilst also sanctioning the exit of Kalvin Phillips on a season-long loan move.

Tenuous talk of Manchester City bringing back Phillips from his loan move at Ipswich Town is unnecessary however, with the understanding being that the Premier League champions have no option of a recall on the Englishman.