Questions are now being asked about Manchester City after their FIFA Club World Cup exit.
The Manchester side were viewed as one of the favourites to win the competition in the United States this summer, but exited the tournament at the Round of 16 stage after suffering a 4-3 defeat to Al-Hilal.
The defeat exposed problems City experienced last season, with Bernardo Silva critical of how his team controlled transitions, while Ederson has also received criticism from Man City supporters for his role in the exit of Guardiola’s team.
In addition to this, another issue has potentially appeared at the Manchester club around the fitness of Rodri, and if Man City are hoping to compete with Liverpool and Arsenal for the Premier League this season, Ally McCoist believes it is vital that the £62.5m star remains fit.
Rodri in action for Manchester City vs Juventus.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Rodri’s fitness issue is likely due to twinges
Rodri entered the field of play against Al-Hilal during the 53rd minute in Orlando, but was forced off in the 100th minute after feeling some niggles, reports the Daily Mail.
Guardiola says Rodri was complaining about his injury issue, but McCoist suggests that the problem may just be a twinge, which is common after being out of action for a long time.
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“It is a massive concern,” the pundit said on talkSPORT about Rodri’s issue. “Jamie’s 100% correct in what he said there. I felt, you know, it wasn’t the main reason. Well, actually was the main reason, but it wasn’t the total reason, the whole reason that Manchester City’s form dipped last season, because it did.
“I mean, when they went on a run, I think they won one in 12 and they lost nine of them, which was absolutely remarkable.
“I would suggest one of the main reasons was Rodri not being in that side. But it wasn’t the entire reason. This is the thing. So he is absolutely vital to Manchester City moving forward.
“I obviously hope for the lad himself that it is something else. We had a wee chat before, you and I, when you come back from a serious injury, you know, whether it’s a knee or an ankle or a broken leg.
“Your body will try and compensate, and you’ll feel twinges in other areas. And I just hope from his point of view, it’s something like that.”
Man City need to be careful with Rodri
Since suffering his serious knee injury back in September, Rodri’s only appearance before the FIFA Club World Cup came against Bournemouth, where the Spaniard received just seven minutes of action.
The 29-year-old played 172 minutes in the United States this summer, which was promising until the midfielder picked up an injury against Al-Hilal. It remains to be seen how serious the Man City star’s issue is, but it doesn’t seem to be anything related to the problem he had with his knee.
Rodri will be vital if Guardiola’s team are to return to the top of English football over the coming months, and ahead of the new Premier League season getting back underway in August, City need to be careful not to push the midfield star too much.