Time is needed for Rodri, Manchester City's metronomic midfielder. Coming back after a serious cruciate ligament injury was never going to be straightforward. He returned cautiously at the end of last season after months out and is still adapting to a role the Ballon d’Or winner had dominated completely.
Pep Guardiola has been quite clear that Rodri cannot yet cope with the demands of completing three games in a week and, therefore, it was expected to see him withdraw the 29-year-old after an hour of the stalemate against Monaco, having left him out entirely for the weekend victory against Burnley. There are no concerns that Rodri will not get back to his best, but the physical recovery need to match up with the mind and that, naturally, is not immediate after such a major setback. What is also clear is that City need to evaluate their succession plan.
Late penalty for Monaco denies Manchester City after Haaland double
Nico González replaced his compatriot at the Stade Louis II and created controversy by introducing his shin pad to Eric Dier's face in the dying moment of the game. That ill-judged action cost his side victory and since joining from Porto for almost £50m, the young midfielder has rarely given the impression of being a permanent solution for Rodri. Admittedly, he has shown progress recently following a time to settle to life in England, but it continues uncertain that he can be a key defensive member of a team challenging for silverware in the English top flight and in Europe.
Mateo Kovacic has watched from the bench in the past two games after returning from an operation. The Croatian was the preferred option in the defensive midfield position during Rodri's absence, offering a combative alternative, aided by being more accustomed to the Premier League than González, but he too is not a future solution, especially considering he's 31-years-old. The other component of the central partnership is Tijjani Reijnders, who continues to evolve in the role Guardiola has assigned him. The Dutchman can frequently appear on the edge of the opposition box, keen to take shots. He is clearly a skilled technician but needs to release possession faster when City are confronting defensive teams, as they did in midweek. And overall, he is not the solution for Rodri.
Securing a backup for Rodri has always been difficult because his collection of individual and team achievements demonstrate his quality. Kalvin Phillips was rapidly judged incapable to handle the demands and responsibility of a pivotal role, becoming an initial casualty of Rodri's exceptional ability.
It was in Monaco in 2017 that Guardiola learned how much needed to transform the squad, going on to overhaul the squad after being eliminated from Europe to a side that featured Fabinho, Bernardo Silva and an teenage Kylian Mbappé. After a sustained period of success, it is only tweaks that now need to be made, especially after significant spending in recent windows.
Guardiola is rightly sensing a successful campaign for his team, although their display against Monaco did not indicate a comeback yet to their best form in Europe. City suffered from moments of inattention against the French opponents, resulting in excessive room for the opener and a late kick to the face. Overall they are relying too heavily on the efficiency in front of goal that Erling Haaland provides, with the Norwegian's two goals in midweek taking his season total to an extraordinary 11 goals in eight appearances.
Immediate Issues and Future Planning
That is something of a short-term concern; in the future there persists the glaring need to develop a effective replacement strategy for Rodri. If City were to look inside the Premier League for an alternative, Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest or Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton are at the right age and have the necessary qualities and mindset for the task of rivaling with the Spaniard and, potentially, taking his place.
The cogs will be whirring in City's recruitment room, with those responsible evaluating various No 6s around the world. None will have the same skillset and ability of the present holder, but that does not mean that the search can stop. Phillips, Kovacic and González have been unable to compete with Rodri; the next arrival simply must avoid the same path.
