Theo Walcott has warned Man City midfielder Rodri that he won’t be the “same player” following his ACL injury.
Speaking on The Overlap US, Walcott said that from his own experience, the first season after you return to fitness is a “write-off”:
“The problem with Rodri is as well, because I had my ACL [injury] too, the period of time you’re out for… it takes some time just to feel normal again. That’s the worry.”
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“This season’s a bit of a write-off. It’s just for him to enjoy his football again. He’s not going to be the same player, he just won’t be. It’s really sad for me to say. I wasn’t the same player. There was an element of my game that I just lost.”
“I think next year, it will be his new norm of how his knee feels, because even to this day, I have issues with my knee. But I just think that’s the dynamic, they’re going to have to find someone to replace him in time because they can’t rely on him as much as they did anymore”
Walcott is a different player to Rodri
The former Arsenal forward picked up his injury in January 2014 and returned to action in October of the same year. He also picked up a groin problem about a month later, which is the exact same injury Rodri sustained following his comeback from his ACL.
However, it must be pointed out that Walcott was a winger who relied on his pace, and Rodri is nowhere near as mobile. As a holding midfielder, he does have to cover plenty of ground, but his game may not be as badly affected due to the position he plays.
Latest Man City injury news
Manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that four players could be absent for the Manchester derby. John Stones is a doubt due to a muscular injury.
Omar Marmoush sustained a knee problem on international duty, Rayan Cherki is sidelined with a thigh issue, while Rayan Ai-Nouri has been ruled out for five weeks due to an ankle injury.
Read more about the Man City First Team Squad for 2025/26 here