Rodri’s return won’t solve all of Manchester City’s issues and they should plan accordingly | OneFootball

One possibility that has always loomed in the background this season for Manchester City is Rodri’s return from injury. That possibility has especially come into view as City’s midfield general continues his recovery from the ACL injury he sustained in September. But there should be caution attached to Rodri’s return from injury. He shouldn’t be expected to immediately improve City’s play. The Spanish international will need time to rediscover his form and fitness and Manchester City should act accordingly in the summer transfer market.

Rodri isn’t coming back from a minor injury. He’s coming back from a ruptured ACL. There is always the possibility of setbacks occurring as a player works his way back to full fitness from such an injury. The following study from sciencedirect.com indicates that one in four athletes who suffer an ACL injury can suffer a reoccurrence of the injury. That’s the reality of the situation Rodri is facing. So, expectations of what Rodri will bring to Pep Guardiola’s squad when he returns should be tempered. He will need time to work his way back to his best.

Based on this analysis, you do feel that Manchester City should act in the summer transfer market to cover the possibilities of Rodri needing time to get back to his best. It would be foolish to expect Rodri to immediately shoulder Manchester City’s midfield burden once again. Doing that could and likely will increase the risk of Rodri suffering an injury setback . The signing of Nico in January did help in this regard. But you do feel that signing a player or players like Adam Wharton, Ederson or Eduardo Camavinga would benefit the Manchester City squad. It would give Pep Guardiola more midfield options and take the load of Rodri in his comeback from injury.

Summary.

Rodri’s return does loom on the horizon. It will be a special moment when he returns to the pitch. But expectations shouldn’t be too high for his return. He will need time to get back to his best both with his form and fitness. That shouldn’t be forgotten amidst the excitement of his progress in his recovery from a serious injury. Manchester City should plan accordingly for this scenario and you do feel that they will as to avoid the scenario that played out this season.