16 | Rodri 2025/26

[eastmanc]

I'd care more if Nico Gonzales wasn't smashing it.

He's been really good. We immediately became a better team when he signed.

 

[waspish]

What ever game he comes back in he will have to get up to speed after being g out so long maybe it be in fa cup game is champions league game he will start one…

 

[eastmanc]

Massive speculation on Rodri’s ability to stay fit and also his contract situation.

All we can do is ease him back in again and see what happens.

Signing a contract or not is here nor there. The club has stood by him during this difficult period. I would be very surprised if that wasn’t a huge factor when thinking about his future.

ACL injuries take a long time to heal but the problem isn't always with the ACL it's with the other injuries that the player picks up on his return, like Rodri's hamstring injury.

 

[eastmanc]

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.

He will pick up other injuries because he's been inactive, playing wise, for 10 months. In order for a new ACL to become as good as the last one he needs game time as the new ACL isn't as subtle as the original one.

 

[wolviedinho]

ACL injuries take a long time to heal but the problem isn't always with the ACL it's with the other injuries that the player picks up on his return, like Rodri's hamstring injury.

Hopefully he can come back to his best. The club obviously need to prepare incase he doesn’t hence the cm links. 50/50 atm I would say.

 

[HolisticJim]

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.

Yeah, he started 3 in a week and has now been out injured for months. That was a stupid decision - clearly

This will keep happening. You can't be out for 12/18 months and then with little build up come back paying three games in a week.

 

[HolisticJim]

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.

Just a fan, but I've watched football long enough, and been around sports long enough, to know this is the case.

You can't be out for 12/18 months and hit the ground running. You need to build up your play time and beyond that you need to be played consi9to get your rhythm back.

 

[Stelea]

Yeah, he started 3 in a week and has now been out injured for months. That was a stupid decision - clearly

This will keep happening. You can't be out for 12/18 months and then with little build up come back paying three games in a week.

Them 3 games kick started our season

 

[jimharri]

What ever game he comes back in he will have to get up to speed after being g out so long maybe it be in fa cup game is champions league game he will start one…

I wouldn't think of starting him before the Exeter game. Maybe give him 15 or 20 minutes in either the Chelsea or Brighton games. Moreso the latter one. Wouldn't like to see him on the same pitch as Enzo and Caicedo.

 

[alexmcity]

Them 3 games kick started our season

Something that's wasted on many in this thread.

 

[alexmcity]

Yeah, he started 3 in a week and has now been out injured for months. That was a stupid decision - clearly

This will keep happening. You can't be out for 12/18 months and then with little build up come back paying three games in a week.

Maybe it was a mistake, but at the same time that week, in which Rodri started 3 games, changed our season.

 

[K-Bo]

I'd guess Exeter at home for his first game back tbh.

 

[CC1]

He isn’t looking very happy at the moment. Desperate to get back playing I guess