Time is needed for Rodri, Manchester City's metronomic midfielder. Returning from a significant knee problem was always going to be challenging. He made a tentative comeback at the conclusion of the previous campaign after months out and continues to readjust to a role the Ballon d’Or winner had dominated completely.
Pep Guardiola has been quite clear that Rodri cannot yet cope with the rigours of playing three games in a week and, as such, it was expected to see him replace the Spanish international after an hour of the 2-2 draw in Monaco, having rested him completely for the weekend victory against Burnley. There are little doubt that Rodri will return to his best, but the physical recovery need to align with the mind and that, naturally, is not immediate after such a significant injury. What is also clear is that City need to evaluate their succession plan.
Spot-kick for Monaco denies Manchester City after Haaland double
Nico González replaced his compatriot at the Stade Louis II and created controversy by bringing his protective gear to Eric Dier's face in the dying moment of the game. That ill-judged action denied his team three points and since arriving from Portugal for almost £50m, the young midfielder has rarely given the impression of being a long-term replacement 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 competing for trophies in the Premier League and in Europe.
Mateo Kovacic has been an unused substitute in the past two games after returning from an operation. The Croatian was the first choice 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 also isn't a future solution, especially considering he's 31-years-old. The other component of the central partnership is Tijjani Reijnders, who keeps developing in the role Guardiola has assigned him. The Dutchman can often be found on the edge of the opposition box, eagerly wanting to shoot. He is clearly a skilled technician but needs to use the ball quicker when City are confronting defensive teams, as they did in midweek. And in general, he is not a Rodri replacement.
Securing a backup for Rodri has consistently proven challenging because his collection of individual and team accolades speak for themselves. Kalvin Phillips was rapidly judged incapable to cope with the complexities and duties of a key position, becoming an early victim of Rodri's supreme competence.
It was in Monaco in 2017 that Guardiola learned how much needed to change at City, 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 prolonged run of triumphs, it is minor adjustments that now need to be made, especially after significant spending in recent transfer periods.
Guardiola is rightly sensing a good season ahead for his team, although their performance in Monaco did not point to a return yet to their peak European performance. City suffered from lapses in concentration against the Ligue 1 side, resulting in too much space for the first goal and a facial contact incident. Overall they are depending excessively on the efficiency in front of goal that Erling Haaland provides, with the Norwegian's brace in the recent match taking his season total to an remarkable 11 strikes in eight games.
Immediate Issues and Future Planning
That is something of a short-term concern; in the future there persists the obvious requirement to put together a effective replacement strategy for Rodri. If City were to look inside the Premier League for an replacement, Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest or Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton are at the right age and have the necessary qualities and attitude for the challenge of competing with the Spaniard and, possibly, replacing him.
The cogs will be whirring in City's scouting department, with those involved evaluating various defensive midfielders around the world. None will have the identical attributes and capability of the current incumbent, but that does not mean that the hunt should cease. Phillips, Kovacic and González have been unable to compete with Rodri; the next in through the door simply cannot follow the identical trajectory.
