Manchester City looking to solve major injury issues. Photo by Jonny Gios via Unsplash

By Che Maguire

Man City have struggled massively since the recent Ballon D’Or and Euro winning midfielder Rodri picked up an injury. Rodri suffered an ACL injury to his right knee on September 22 against Arsenal.

Since then Man City have seen a massive downturn in form and have lost their last 4 games in a row, the first time the club has seen this since 2006 and the first time this has happened in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career. City have suffered many injuries this season but it has been the area that Rodri filled that has been most impactful. The blues have looked very poor in defensive transitions and have failed to win the ball back nearly as much in the midfield area as before.

Man City have been heavily reported to be looking to another number six to fill in for Rodri while he is injured and also to play backup to him.

City Live has picked three of the heavily rumoured players.

Rodri after the original injury which led to his absence by Simon Stacpoole/Offside via Gettyimages

Martin Zubimendi – Real Sociedad

The Spanish midfielder, currently applying his trade in San Sebastián, has attracted interest from many teams in the summer, the most notable being Liverpool. Zubimendi has been a regular in Sociedad’s midfield making over 200 appearances and guiding the club to Champions League football for the first time since 2013.

Zubimendi would be a natural replacement for Rodri due to his style of play being similar to the City midfielder, with very high passing accuracy, his reading of the game and ability to see danger before anyone else on the park. The 25 year old currently has another 2 and a half years on his contract.

Bruno Guimarães – Newcastle United

Since becoming one of the first big money moves after the takeover at Newcastle, Bruno Guimarães has become a fan favourite up north making over 120 appearances and becoming club captain since signing from Lyon. Bruno has recently spoken out about a conversation he had with City manager, Guardiola, and touched on interest from Man City, saying:

“Of course, having Manchester City's interest shows that I am at a high level, but it was nothing more than interest.

“I know that Guardiola likes my football, it is normal to have great coaches who admire your football.

“We have spoken once, I praised his work, he praised my work, but it was nothing more than that.”

Bruno Guimarães would likely be a very pricey signing, especially in January. He also wouldn’t be a like for like replacement, despite being a defensive midfielder. His best parts of his game are driving forward withthe ball and creating chances when Newcastle are in possession but also breaking up play and making tackles when out of possession.

Bruno would offer City something different in that area but he wouldn’t be as impactful as Rodri in certain parts of his game which is specifically what the Blues are missing.

Rodri receiving his Ballon d’Or award by Frank Fife via Gettyimages

Éderson – Atalanta

After winning the Europa league Éderson began attracting interest from Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester City. He would be another one who would be a pricey signing for the champions of England. Éderson also has a similar playing style to Rodri, with him tending to play slightly more forward than the Spaniard.

His best attributes are his ball carrying and short passing with a very impressive work rate and reading of the game while out of possession. If City were able to get a good price for Éderson, this could work out to be a very good deal for the blues and potentially steady the ship going into the second half of the season.

The champions currently sit second in the league, 5 points behind Liverpool and have just extended Pep Guardiola’s contract till the summer of 2026. Signing one of these players could be vital to closing the gap and pushing for a fifth consecutive league title.

Manchester City looking at potential replacements for Spanish star Rodri