Manchester City have struggled significantly in Rodri’s absence, to the point where an emergency signing might be necessary in January. Here are some potential options they could explore during the transfer window.

It’s not characteristic of Manchester City to resort to panic buys—that’s simply not their approach and hasn’t been during Pep Guardiola’s tenure.

However, these are extraordinary circumstances. City have endured a dismal run, losing nine and winning only two of their last 14 matches across all competitions. This includes a stunning five-game losing streak in October and November that derailed their season. Although Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Leicester City offers a glimmer of hope, it doesn’t necessarily signal the end of their current struggles.

Their Premier League title defence is virtually over, they’re out of the EFL Cup, and their Champions League campaign hangs by a thread. To describe this season as a fiasco might even be an understatement.

Much of City’s downturn feels inexplicable. Why has Erling Haaland stopped scoring? Is Phil Foden out of form? Why are the defenders committing so many errors?

Yet, there’s a strong sense that all these issues stem from one critical factor: the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri in midfield. His season-ending injury has been the pivotal blow to City’s stability, plunging the reigning champions into uncharted waters after dominating the Premier League for four consecutive seasons.

The months without Rodri have made it clear that Guardiola has yet to find an effective solution within his current squad. With the January transfer window fast approaching, it might be time for City to set aside their usual approach, swallow their pride, and consider spending big.

However, making such a signing will be far from straightforward. Finding a player capable of seamlessly stepping into City’s central midfield—a position crucial to their style of play—is no easy task. Such a move would also come with a hefty price tag.

Another challenge is that Rodri—arguably the best player in the world right now—will eventually return. Any new addition must understand that they won’t be the first-choice option in midfield next season. Ideally, the recruit would be versatile enough to play alongside Rodri as a number eight. Alternatively, City could target someone available for a short-term loan, but finding a player of the required quality willing to take such a role is highly unlikely.

Identifying a player who meets these criteria is a tough task, but we’ve compiled a list of potential options who could provide short-term relief and prove valuable beyond this season as well.

Top 5 Players Who Could Help Replace Rodri And Save Man City’s Season

1. Leon Goretzka – Bayern Munich

Germany international Leon Goretzka may not match Rodri’s technical prowess, but he brings a commanding presence to midfield. Considering City’s recent fragility, prioritizing physicality might be a sensible approach.

Standing at 6-foot-2, Goretzka is a dynamic and combative midfielder who excels at ball recovery, covers ground effectively, poses a goal threat with late runs into the box, and showcases a creative edge. Last season, he contributed six Bundesliga goals and seven assists from the base of Bayern Munich’s midfield, numbers comparable to Rodri’s eight goals and nine assists in the Premier League. Additionally, Goretzka boasts an impressive 89.4% pass success rate—well-suited to Guardiola’s style.

There are questions about whether Goretzka is disciplined enough to anchor the defense or covers sufficient ground to fully replicate Rodri’s role. However, his quality and extensive top-level experience make him a strong candidate for consideration.

Having lost his starting spot at Bayern Munich this season under Vincent Kompany, Goretzka could be a more attainable target for City in the January transfer window.

2. Martín Zubimendi – Real Sociedad

Searching for a Rodri replacement? Why not consider the player who seamlessly stepped into his role during Spain’s Euro 2024 final victory over England, looking entirely at ease in the process?

Martín Zubimendi delivered the performance of his career in a high-pressure environment in Berlin, proving himself more than capable of filling Rodri’s shoes. The clearest sign of his success was that Rodri’s absence went almost unnoticed.

Spain lost a player who had been on the losing side only once in his last 80 games across club and international football—a streak stretching over a year—and yet the team didn’t miss a beat. It’s no surprise, then, that Zubimendi is being linked as a potential solution to City’s midfield struggles in Rodri’s absence.

At club level, Zubimendi plays a key role for Real Sociedad, anchoring the defense, disrupting opposition attacks, and controlling the tempo of the game. This season, he ranks in La Liga’s top 10 for tackles (43) and is among the league leaders in passes completed (914), demonstrating his ability to dictate play. While his focus is on defensive duties rather than contributing to the attacking third, his skill set could make for a seamless transition into City’s system.

His defensive attributes would undoubtedly bolster City’s midfield this season, though it’s unclear whether he could play alongside Rodri in the long term.

The biggest obstacle? Zubimendi’s loyalty to Real Sociedad. He declined a move to Liverpool last summer, stating that his connection to the club was too strong to leave. “A lot of what I am is part of La Real,” he said. “It is my life.”

While there are rumors he may now be more open to a move, convincing him to swap sunny Spain for the cold, rainy days of Manchester might be a challenge. Securing this transfer could prove tricky for City.

3. Frenkie de Jong – Barcelona

Once again, Barcelona find themselves in dire need of funds, and once again, Frenkie de Jong’s future at the club hangs in the balance.

The Dutch midfielder has endured a challenging 2024, spending much of the year sidelined with an ankle injury. He returned to action in October, but Barcelona’s form took a dramatic downturn shortly afterward. De Jong’s first La Liga start since April came in a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad, a match that marked the beginning of Barca’s struggles. Since then, he has not started another league game.

De Jong is undoubtedly a top-tier talent, and his determination to succeed at Barcelona is unquestionable. However, he currently finds himself on the fringes of Hansi Flick’s plans. Now in his sixth season at the club, De Jong is one of the more experienced players in a squad where Flick is heavily prioritizing youth. It’s not hard to imagine that he might be considering his future options.

From Manchester City’s perspective, De Jong doesn’t fit the mold of Rodri’s midfield general role. His strengths lie in ball retention and progression rather than ball-winning, which is a key factor behind his mixed success at Barcelona. De Jong thrives when paired with a ball-winner, making him an excellent candidate to play alongside Rodri. However, he can be exposed when deployed as the lone defensive anchor, a vulnerability shared by players like Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis, and Ilkay Gündogan.

Would De Jong be the perfect fix for City’s immediate problems? Probably not. But could he elevate the team in the short term while offering long-term value? Absolutely.

4. Pascal Groβ – Borussia Dortmund

If Manchester City are seeking a short-term solution, could former Brighton midfielder Pascal Groß be the right fit?

Press-resistant, experienced in the Premier League, and physically durable—at least in terms of the minimal injuries he has faced—Groß could provide a quick, cost-effective, and dependable fix for City’s current issues.

He departed Brighton last season after earning his first Germany caps in 2023 and subsequently making the squad for Euro 2024, marking the peak of a career that had been on a gradual ascent. Now playing for his boyhood club, Borussia Dortmund, in Germany, convincing him to return to England might prove challenging. However, things aren’t going smoothly for Dortmund, sitting sixth in the Bundesliga, just two points above mid-table, and already out of the DFB-Pokal. With this in mind, Groß might consider a move to Manchester City as a fresh opportunity, or at least a temporary escape from his current situation.

Groß’s versatility would be a major asset to City, as he can play as a deep-lying midfielder, further up the field, or even at full-back. This flexibility would make him an invaluable option if City were to retain him beyond this season. Additionally, his composure on the ball makes him well-suited to Guardiola’s playing style. In his first Champions League campaign this season, Groß has maintained an impressive 90% pass success rate across six appearances, while only five players have created more chances than his total of 15.

Although a late bloomer at 33, there’s no reason to overlook him. City urgently need help from a proven Premier League player, and Groß could be the ideal candidate to provide just that.

5. Exequiel Palacios – Bayer Leverkusen

Palacios might be open to a move, having found himself more on the periphery at Bayer Leverkusen, with Robert Andrich favored alongside Granit Xhaka in midfield this season.

A highly skilled player, Palacios is more adventurous in possession than his 92.1% pass success rate in the Bundesliga last season would suggest. Despite only accumulating 348 minutes of play this season, he has already registered four assists, averaging one every 87 minutes—the best rate in Europe’s top five leagues for players with at least 200 minutes played.

While primarily a ball-winner, Palacios ranks fifth for tackles per 90 minutes in the Champions League this season (4.1) among players with over 300 minutes of action.

Unlike Rodri, he isn’t prone to accumulating yellow cards, having picked up just 13 cautions in 93 Bundesliga appearances over five years at Leverkusen. This discipline would certainly be an asset for City, who can ill afford to lose another midfielder.

Exploring In-House Options

Finding a player who can enhance the team while accepting that Rodri will eventually return might be a challenging task. In that case, Manchester City might consider tapping into their own resources.

With one of the best academies in the country, could Pep Guardiola benefit from promoting a youth player to fill the gap?

An immediate option in the senior squad is John Stones, who has some experience in central midfield, having played there for a substantial portion of the 2023-24 Premier League season. However, due to ongoing injury concerns, it may be risky for Guardiola to rely on him for consistency.

Alternatively, Máximo Perrone, a defensive midfielder who has previously looked up to Rodri, could be an intriguing choice. The only obstacle is that Perrone is currently on loan at Como in Serie A, and has been sidelined with a thigh injury since late October. Reports, however, suggest he could return in January.

Should he regain full fitness and City manage to terminate his loan early, Perrone could present a valuable and cost-effective option, especially considering his experience learning under Cesc Fàbregas, who has been heavily influenced by Guardiola’s methods.

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