Arsenal and Chelsea have received the worrying news that Rodri could yet play again for Manchester City this season, despite his cruciate ligament injury having seemingly ended that hope.
The Premier League title race for the 2024/25 campaign has been blown wide open amidst Man City's current vein of form. Only one win in their past six league outings - or 10 in all competitions - has seen not just the challengers of recent seasons Arsenal take advantage, but Chelsea too in their first season under Enzo Maresca.
It is the Blues who sit closest to current leaders Liverpool - five points behind with the same number of matches played, though that will change later today. The Gunners are a further point behind their London rivals, having played one more.
City's troubles can be traced back to the ACL injury holding midfielder Rodri suffered during their 2-2 draw with Mikel Arteta's side at the Etihad Stadium in September. His importance for Pep Guardiola's system was underlined by a 74-game unbeaten run with Rodri in the side between February 2023 and May 2024.
Without him plus a number of their older stars declining, hopes of a fifth consecutive title have been put in severe doubt. However, Arsenal and Chelsea may wish to accumulate the biggest advantage possible over Man City if they want to become the next champions.
That is because according to The Sun, Rodri could aim to make a shock comeback from his serious injury before the end of the current campaign. They report how the Ballon d'Or winner has 'impressed medics' in the early stage of his recovery from surgery as he is ahead of schedule, currently strengthening his impacted ligaments through use of the running machine.
If Man City are still in the hunt by then and the midfielder is able to make a return earlier than expected, his team have Aston Villa, Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth and Fulham in their final five matches of the season. Failing that, there would remain the possibility of travelling to the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States next summer, and he could be eased back into action there.
Chelsea will also compete for that title, having recently been drawn in a group with Flamengo, Esperance Tunis, and Club Leon.