As it stands Manchester City are currently on the chase for footballing history. Pep Guardiola’s squad is on the hunt for a fourth consecutive Premier League title and the opportunity to defend the treble they famously won last campaign. While those goals remain the focus of Pep Guardiola and his squad the summer transfer window is coming into view. Ahead of the summer window opening, there does appear to be one position in need of fortification for the world champions.
As it stands with the make-up of the current Manchester City squad a heavy burden falls on the shoulders of Rodri. City’s midfield general plays arguably the most difficult role in Pep Guardiola’s system. The Spanish international is an integral part of City’s set-up. He has risen under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola to become one of the premier midfielders in world football. When Rodri doesn’t play Manchester City isn’t the same team. Their record without their midfield general is well documented.
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Rodri has arguably the heaviest workload on any player in City’s squad. He played 56 games in last season’s treble-winning campaign. He has again had a busy season this campaign so far playing 36 games in all competitions. In an interview before the season began with Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail Rodri expressed concerns about the amount of football he is required to play. The Spanish international said: “I don’t remember exactly the number of games I played. But I had a talk with the club and the coach because it’s not healthy. You can do it for one season, but when it’s two or three in a row, it can be worse for the team because your physicality can drop. So I have to watch out. We have already spoken that, it cannot always be like this.”
Rodri’s comments show that the Spanish international is aware of the burden he carries for the world champions. With Kalvin Phillips failing to seize his chance to be Rodri’s back up it means the champions will be desperate to find some support for Rodri this summer.
It will be no easy task for Manchester City to find a player who can support Rodri. City’s midfield general is the ideal player for City’s system. It is also currently inconceivable to see a player who could come in and replace Rodri in the lineup. A player who would come into the City squad knowing they would more than likely be a backup will be hard to find.
But it is a pressing need for Manchester City. Rodri’s comments show that he does need a break at times given how much football City play each season. It will be no easy task for the champions to find reliable support for their midfield general. But it could be the most important move City make in the summer transfer window as they look to strengthen their squad.
