Can Manchester City survive without Rodri?

Following Rodri's selection as the 2026 World Cup's Most Outstanding Player, Real Madrid is said to be aiming to recruit the Spanish midfielder during this summer transfer window, instead of waiting until his contract ends in 2027.

With Enzo Maresca taking over the coaching reins from Pep Guardiola, the big question is whether Manchester City can cope without Rodri.

No one can replace Rodri

For the past five years, Rodri has been regarded as the most complete central midfielder in the Premier League. Not only does he act as the "pace regulator," but he also serves as the foundation for the entire tactical system to function.

Pep Guardiola once declared Rodri as "the best midfielder in the world." That was no mere courtesy. Under the Spanish tactician, every attacking move of Manchester City revolved around Rodri's ability to receive the ball in tight spaces, execute line-breaking passes, and control the game's tempo. He always knew when to accelerate and when to slow down to maintain possession.

The 2026 World Cup once again proved his class. Rodri was the heartbeat of the Spanish national team's play during their championship run and was awarded the FIFA Best Player of the tournament. More importantly, he demonstrated that the severe knee injury he sustained earlier no longer significantly affected his performance.

It is no coincidence that Manchester City lost the Premier League title in both seasons Rodri was sidelined for long periods due to injury. That statistic clearly reflects the value of the 30-year-old player. He is not just the one who passes the most or recovers the ball the most, but also the one who decides how City controls the game.

Rodri's unique strength lies in his ability to read the game. Instead of diving into fierce tackles, he often positions himself perfectly to cut off passes or force opponents into mistakes. This "radar" helps City maintain ball possession and push the opponent deep into their own half.

Therefore, if Rodri leaves, no single player can directly replace him.

Maresca will have to build a different Manchester City

However, that does not mean Manchester City will collapse. The Etihad club has actually been preparing for this scenario for quite some time. After Rodri's anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2024, the club began seeking ways to reduce their dependence on the Spanish midfielder. The club-record fee spent to sign Elliot Anderson is clear evidence of this.

Anderson is not yet a "new Rodri." The 23-year-old midfielder does not possess the same level of game-controlling ability, but he has qualities that align well with Maresca's direction. The English player covers a wide area, is full of energy, can patrol almost the entire midfield zone, and is particularly strong in off-the-ball movement.

Anderson's line-breaking passing still needs improvement if he is to reach Rodri's level. However, with the playing environment at Manchester City and Maresca's guidance, he is considered a player who can develop rapidly.

More importantly, Maresca's football philosophy differs from Guardiola's.

If Guardiola built Manchester City based on absolute ball control, Maresca favors a more direct style of play. He wants the team to exploit the speed of wingers, accelerate ball progression, and press aggressively in the opponent's half.

This means the role of the holding midfielder will also change. Instead of acting as a "conductor" like Rodri, the player in the deeper role under Maresca will need to be more mobile, engage in more duels, and provide greater pressing support.

That is why Anderson is seen as a suitable piece.

Besides Anderson, Maresca still has other options such as Tijjani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez, or Nico O'Reilly. These players have shared the midfield burden in the previous season and will continue to play important roles if Rodri leaves the Etihad.

In case of needing reinforcements, Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille is also a name that Manchester City is particularly interested in. The 18-year-old midfielder made a strong impression while playing for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup, thanks to his ball-carrying ability, technical skills, and tireless work rate. Many experts believe Bouaddi possesses qualities suited for the Premier League environment.

Of course, losing Rodri will still give certain advantages to rivals like Liverpool, Arsenal, or Chelsea. Manchester City will lose the best game-controlling player, as well as an experienced leader in the dressing room. This is a gap that is very difficult to fill in the short term. However, history shows that Manchester City has always found ways to overcome seemingly irreplaceable departures. Sergio Aguero left, but the club continued to dominate. Yaya Toure, David Silva, and then Kevin De Bruyne each ended their journeys, yet the Etihad side still found successors.