Pep Guardiola has issued a gloomy timetable for Rodri's return. (Image: Getty)
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri will not play for Manchester City again this season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in last weekend's draw against Arsenal.
Rodri limped off amid City's clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and reports surfaced earlier in the week that the midfielder would miss the remainder of the 2024/25 season with a knee injury.
However, it was hoped the injury would not be as serious as first thought, with Guardiola revealing after City's midweek League Cup win over Watford he still did not know the full schedule.
But now he does and it's the worst possible outcome for Guardiola.
The Catalan coach revealed on Friday afternoon that Rodri's season was over after he underwent surgery in Spain for an ACL injury.
Commenting on the 28-year-old, Guardiola said: “He had surgery this morning, on his ACL and meniscus, so next season he will be there. This season is over.
“Unfortunately we received the worst news, but it is what it is. At this level, it happens sometimes, we are here to support him in his recovery step by step and moving forward…
“What he gives us, we don't have a single player [to replace him]. But the other players, as a whole, can replace what Rodri has.”
Before adding: “When you have an ACL and you're out for eight or nine months, the next year you have muscle problems. That's why it's longer.
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Rodri underwent surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2024/25 season. (Image: Getty)
“I think Rodri will be back to his best after eight or nine months, but it is what it is. As a club we have magnificent players and we will find a solution.”
One solution could see City enter the market in January and add a midfielder to their ranks to help cover Rodri's absence – something Guardiola has refused to rule out.
Regarding business prospects in January, the three-time Champions League winner added: “We'll see, we spoke today with Txiki [Begiristain] and we'll see how it goes. We don't have to decide tomorrow, do we? We have time to see what potential problems we have, and we'll see.”
In the meantime, City will have to hustle and fix, with Mateo Kovacic seen as City's most likely replacement this season.
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Kovacic, alongside Rico Lewis, has excelled in midfield at the start of the season, with Guardiola adding: “He's one of them [Rico Lewis with Mateo Kovacic]. We have a few more. [Ilkay] Gundo can play this position, John [Stones] and Manu [Akanji] played in this position. So we have alternatives. »
Newcastle United away are the next reigning Premier League champions, but Guardiola will also be without Kevin De Bruyne for the trip, after confirming the Belgian would not also feature in this weekend's game.
On De Bruyne, Guardiola commented: “I don't know. Maybe before the international break, or after the international break. We'll see.”
City have won all but two of their previous six trips to St. James' Park, kicking off in the North East at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1954254/pep-guardiola-rodri-injury-return