Manchester City’s midfield powerhouse, Rodri, has been a model of consistency and endurance for the club, playing a crucial role in their dominance of the Premier League and their push for European titles. Since joining the team in 2019, Rodri has been a fixture in the lineup, appearing in at least 33 Premier League games and eight Champions League matches each season.
Unfortunately, this run of durability has come to an abrupt halt. Reports suggest that Rodri has suffered a torn ACL, likely sidelining him for the entire 2024/25 season. Even if he manages to recover in time for a late-season return, he’ll have missed the bulk of the campaign, which could significantly impact City’s success. Though City boasts a deep squad filled with talented players, Rodri’s importance to manager Pep Guardiola’s system raises concerns about how his absence will affect their chances of winning more silverware this season.
The numbers speak for themselves, and if you’re a City fan, they don’t paint a pretty picture. Since Rodri’s arrival from Atletico Madrid, City’s performance has been noticeably stronger with him on the pitch. In Premier League games with Rodri, they’ve averaged 2.4 points per match, compared to just 1.9 points when he’s missing. This drop in points also corresponds with less possession and fewer passes into the final third, both key elements of City’s playing style.
Rodri’s value goes beyond just numbers—he was unbeaten for 74 games for both club and country between February 2023 and May 2024, underlining how vital he’s been to his team’s stability.
Looking at City’s win percentages, they have a 74% win rate in the Premier League when Rodri plays, compared to 62% without him. In the Champions League, they win 71% of the time with him, but just 55% without him. The stats highlight that Rodri’s influence on the field isn’t easily replaced, even with City’s strong bench.
Before this injury, Rodri had been incredibly reliable, missing only a handful of games due to injury throughout his career. His fitness record has been impeccable—he missed just five games in his debut season at City and had only been sidelined three times this season due to a minor hamstring injury.
Despite his absence, betting markets haven’t dramatically shifted their outlook on Man City’s chances of winning major titles. Their odds to win the Premier League are still solid, with City and Arsenal tied at +138 to win the league. In the Champions League, City remains a favorite at +275 odds, despite the news of Rodri’s injury. However, if his absence starts to show in their on-field performance, those numbers could fluctuate.
In short, while City is deep enough to cope in the short term, Rodri’s injury is a major blow, and it’s uncertain how well they’ll manage without him over the long haul.
