City currently sit five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and while they haven't been at their best, they are still title contenders. But it seems Guardiola thinks they would be in a much better position if Rodri had been available for much of this campaign.
He added: "Rodri is another level of the players. If Rodri came on for the last 20 minutes against Fulham, put him in the middle and do you know what is the effect? Just his presence, not even touching the ball? The other 10 players feel safe and they play better. What will you do, you're a football player or you are a journalist, over 18 months you cannot do your job. You want to write, you want inspiration and show how good you are and you cannot do it. How do you feel? It feels bad. Of course, he is strong and in some moments he is sad. I would not be happy if he is not sad or concerned. Ahead of us, we have many nightmare things to live. He has to be there. He will be there."