Manchester City boss not willing to rush the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner
Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City midfielder Rodri is still some way from reaching full fitness, as he continues to recover from his long-term knee injury.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner spent eight months out with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament before returning to action in May, only to suffer a groin setback during the Club World Cup in July.
He has started four out of six games this season and was absent from Saturday’s 5-1 win over Burnley after reporting discomfort. Guardiola reported after that game that Rodri complained about “a lot of pain” in his knee.
This week, City’s manager said: “He is not injured but in the tendon he has a difficulty. The week before was so demanding with [Manchester] United, Napoli and especially Arsenal and right now he’s not able to play three games in a week at a top, top, top level – top intensity, demanding opponents.”
Guardiola stressed that City would not rush Rodri’s workload despite the importance of the Spain international to their team.
“My feeling right now is he is not ready because he needs time,” said Guardiola. “This type of injury, it is minimum one year and after that you start. We’ll be patient and he dictates. If he feels not good, it’s better to rest.”
