Pep Guardiola is NOT counting on Rodri this season as club finds replacement

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola spoke about Rodri's potential return to playing this season, as well as about new signing Nico Gonzalez.

Pep Guardiola is NOT counting on Rodri this season as club finds replacement

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola spoke about Rodri's potential return this season, as well as new signing Nico Gonzalez. (via Football London)

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola recently exclaimed that is not counting on midfielder Rodri to make an early return from his injury, amid the club’s inconsistent form. He rather noted that City might have a replacement in new January arrival, Nico Gonzalez.

2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has remained out of action since the start of the season. The 28-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal, back in September. While Rodri has been named in the club’s UCL knockouts squad, it remains highly unlikely that he would make a return before the end of the season.

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Manager Pep Guardiola, who has advised the defensive midfielder to remain cautious, spoke about his potential early return this season. While admitting that he would love to have Rodri back into the side for the UCL knockouts, Guardiola noted that he would not put pressure upon the Spaniard. The manager added that he has already made up his mind about Rodri returning next season.

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Moreover, Guardiola also expressed confidence in new signing Nico Gonzalez, to plug the gap left behind in the midfield by Rodri. The 23-year-old midfielder joined from Porto on deadline day, for a whopping 50 million, becoming their fourth January signing. Guardiola praised Nico’s versatility, defensive abilities and physicality, while stating that he knows him from his La Masia days.

I’d love to arrive in the last stages of the UCL and he could help, but I will not put one second of pressure. It’s a position where we were weak after the absence from Rodri… [Nico] He’s a strong young boy.

Pep Guardiola to reporters (H/T FOTMOB)

Therefore, it will be interesting to see who Pep Guardiola selects in the midfield, when the club takes on Real Madrid in the UCL play-offs. However, in a major upset for Man City, Nico Gonzalez injured himself on his debut for the club, and was seen limping off the pitch.

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Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side narrowly avoid upset in FA Cup clash against Leyton Orient

Manchester City skipper Kevin De Bruyne came off the bench to score the winner, in a 2-1 comeback victory against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola’s side managed to avoid a serious upset, that could have seen them out of the competition.

Manchester City vs Leyton Orient
Manchester City defeated Leyton Orient 2-1 in a thrilling FA Cup fourth round encounter. (via GOAL)

EFL League One side Leyton Orient took a bizarre first-half lead in the 16th minute, after Jamie Donley’s stunning effort bounced off the bar to hit Stefan Ortega in an own goal. However, Abdukodir Khusanov and De Bruyne scored two second half goals, to help City progress through to the fifth round. The Belgian recorded his 27th goal contribution in the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, Manchester City have now won their last 18 FA Cup matches against sides from a lower division, scoring 69 goals and conceding just nine. They next face Real Madrid, followed by an EPL encounter against Newcastle.