Pep Guardiola has issued a cautious update on Rodri’s recovery, revealing that Manchester City won’t see the best version of their star midfielder until next season. The Spanish international has been working his way back to full fitness after undergoing knee surgery last year, but Guardiola stressed that Rodri’s journey back to top form will take time.
Rodri, who was awarded the 2024 Ballon d’Or, missed City’s impressive 5-1 victory over Burnley due to ongoing knee discomfort. This setback comes 12 months after he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury, a blow that kept him sidelined for several months. Despite making his return in May, the 29-year-old has faced several minor issues as he adapts to his recovery.
Guardiola acknowledged the difficulty of Rodri’s situation, stating, “One year he has been out. The body changes, the rhythm changes, it’s a question of time. If he’s healthy, he will be back to his best.” The City manager also noted that fans shouldn’t expect Rodri to be at his peak until next season, suggesting that patience will be needed as the midfielder continues to regain his full fitness.
In the meantime, Guardiola has had to rely on Nico Gonzalez, the £50 million signing from Barcelona, to fill in for Rodri. However, Gonzalez has struggled to replicate the consistency and impact of his Spanish counterpart. Most recently, Gonzalez’s performance came under scrutiny after he conceded a late penalty during the 2-2 Champions League draw against Monaco, a result that saw City drop two crucial points.
“He’s learning and improving. We need him,” Guardiola said of Gonzalez, acknowledging the importance of his development in the squad. The City boss also mentioned that Rodri is not yet able to play a full 90 minutes at the required intensity, but he remains confident that the midfielder will eventually return to his best once fully recovered.
Despite the draw in Monaco, City’s unbeaten run has now stretched to six matches across all competitions. Guardiola expressed his satisfaction with the progress his team has made, particularly with the integration of younger players into the squad. “Everything is a little bit more fluid and consistent,” Guardiola said. “But we can do better, and I love that.”
Looking ahead, Manchester City, who sit five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, will travel to Brentford on Sunday, hoping to continue their positive momentum.
