16 | Rodri 2025/26

[Bonnie Blues Cat.]

Whilst I do agree Nico G has had a monumental upturn this season and is filling in for Rodri thus far this season with great success, I do firmly believe that if we want to win the league or Champions League, we need Rodri back in that midfield.

For as good as he has been this season, I don't think we will win enough of the big games with Nico G in midfield.

We go from being a very good team with Nico G in midfield, to a world class team once again once we get Rodri back.

Our spine would be as good as anything in Europe. Arguably the best.

Depends whether we get the Balon D'Or Rodri back.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

I'm concerned the Arsenal Rapist properly fucked him physically and mentally.

We may never see the same player again.

Like the Rags and Colin Bell.

Heard from plenty a City fan older than me, that it was painful seeing him after that horror tackle!

 

[citytill1die84]

Hopefully he's on the bench.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Much too long for someone in their late twenties. People saying sit out another year are being beyond careful. He's long past a reasonable time for a return to playing fitness. If I'm running the squad I'm proceeding with the idea that we need another player who can play in the 6. It's a damn shame for Rodri, the club and all of us supporters that this has happened. If by some chance he's able to make it back, great, but there's no way City should be counting on it...

I love Rodri but I think we need to plan for Rodri being the Stones successor.. 15 games a season if that and proceed accordingly.

We desperately need another 6 or we risk too much if Nico G goes down injured (and you just know Arsenal will target him like they did Rodri)

 

[Cigs&Alc]

Whilst I do agree Nico G has had a monumental upturn this season and is filling in for Rodri thus far this season with great success, I do firmly believe that if we want to win the league or Champions League, we need Rodri back in that midfield.

For as good as he has been this season, I don't think we will win enough of the big games with Nico G in midfield.

We go from being a very good team with Nico G in midfield, to a world class team once again once we get Rodri back.

Our spine would be as good as anything in Europe. Arguably the best.

Agreed. Nico G has been very good but Rodri is a level above, as he is for most players.

 

[WesthoughtonJohn]

Whilst I do agree Nico G has had a monumental upturn this season and is filling in for Rodri thus far this season with great success, I do firmly believe that if we want to win the league or Champions League, we need Rodri back in that midfield.

For as good as he has been this season, I don't think we will win enough of the big games with Nico G in midfield.

We go from being a very good team with Nico G in midfield, to a world class team once again once we get Rodri back.

Our spine would be as good as anything in Europe. Arguably the best.

I wonder if we could rotate Rodri/Nico/Bernie in a midfield 2 in front of the back 4

 

[Holcombe bloo]

I wonder if we could rotate Rodri/Nico/Bernie in a midfield 2 in front of the back 4

And from next season Anderson instead of Bernie. Won’t lose many games

 

[domalino]

Then quite frankly you don't have much experience with timelines regarding positive or negative outcomes relative to these type of injuries...

What injuries?

He’s out with a hamstring strain.

You’re acting as if his knee is still fucked.

It’s incredibly common for people to pick up a few muscle injuries after an ACL and it doesn’t mean anything RE the outcome of the ACL surgery.

3 months is the upper end of normal for a hamstring but from what Pep alluded to with his “get right mentally” comment a month ago it sounds like Rodri is just being hyper cautious and doesn’t want to return unless he feels 100% - probably because he’s thinking about the business end of the club season and the World Cup.

 

[Cobwebcat]

Sub!

 

[Dialog]

 

[5 Hit Gibbon]

Praying he can stay fit.

 

[cityontheup]

Give him a few minutes against Exeter

 

[HolisticJim]

Depends whether we get the Balon D'Or Rodri back.

It will take 6 months of playing consistently to get back to that level, and it will take 6 months of slowly easing him in before he can get regular game time.

Anyone thinking he will be more than a bit part player this season, IMHO, will be unfortunately disappointed.

And he's aging. We absolutely need another number 6..

 

[borassic]

He looks lean, easy does it!

 

[alexmcity]

It will take 6 months of playing consistently to get back to that level, and it will take 6 months of slowly easing him in before he can get regular game time.

Anyone thinking he will be more than a bit part player this season, IMHO, will be unfortunately disappointed.

Very much doubt that.

Rodri started 3 games in a week in September: United, Napoli and Arsenal (98 minutes in the last). He wasn't injured after that.

If he stays fit in the next 1-2 months, he will start in most big games come the business end of the season.

Time will tell.

 

[handsofstone]

For how long though and in what condition are the questions

 

[AshtonBlueMooner]

It will take 6 months of playing consistently to get back to that level, and it will take 6 months of slowly easing him in before he can get regular game time.

Anyone thinking he will be more than a bit part player this season, IMHO, will be unfortunately disappointed.

And he's aging. We absolutely need another number 6..

Thanks Jim,
Genuine question. Do you work within the sports Injury rehabilitation industry?
Or perhaps within the medical science and sports performance within CFG?
Or purely educated guess from a layman?
Not disputing your assessment but surely each player has their own post operative recovery plan.
This being entirely based on an individual’s physical, mental and physiological ability.
Whatever your assessment is based on, fingers crossed Rodri comes back at anywhere near his best level.
A 50% Rodri is significantly better than 75% of current Premier league players.

 

[JewelZee]

What injuries?

He’s out with a hamstring strain.

You’re acting as if his knee is still fucked.

It’s incredibly common for people to pick up a few muscle injuries after an ACL and it doesn’t mean anything RE the outcome of the ACL surgery.

3 months is the upper end of normal for a hamstring but from what Pep alluded to with his “get right mentally” comment a month ago it sounds like Rodri is just being hyper cautious and doesn’t want to return unless he feels 100% - probably because he’s thinking about the business end of the club season and the World Cup.

I'm not acting anything. I'm just reacting to what I see. If Rodri truly is the exception to the extended absence rule no one will be happier than me...

 

[Glasgow123]

You will not see the Rodri from that Ballon dor run this season. The good thing is he doesn't have to be that good. His presence and ball distribution abilities alone will help the team, as they won't constantly be losing ball in high intensity matches as much.

 

[hilts]

Thanks Jim,
Genuine question. Do you work within the sports Injury rehabilitation industry?
Or perhaps within the medical science and sports performance within CFG?
Or purely educated guess from a layman?
Not disputing your assessment but surely each player has their own post operative recovery plan.
This being entirely based on an individual’s physical, mental and physiological ability.
Whatever your assessment is based on, fingers crossed Rodri comes back at anywhere near his best level.
A 50% Rodri is significantly better than 75% of current Premier league players.

A 50% player, even Rodri, is not a premier league player at all. We need him back though because we are doing what we did to Rodri and KDB and playing him to death. We need to let him have at minimum a rest for the FA cup and 2 remains CL games.