Manchester City have struggled over the past year, leading to disappointing performances and surprising eliminations from competitions.
The team’s struggles became particularly evident after Rodri suffered an ACL injury in September against Arsenal. While it was clear that his absence would be felt, few anticipated just how drastically it would affect their performance, especially as Kevin De Bruyne began to decline in form.
Managing such a considerable absence, both in terms of talent and leadership, would be daunting for any coach. Rodri was the linchpin that connected the defence to the attack, rectifying mistakes and even contributing to scoring opportunities. His overall presence in midfield, with contributions at both ends of the pitch, was irreplaceable.
Despite this, Pep Guardiola did not actively seek a direct replacement for Rodri. Instead, he prioritised strengthening other aspects of his team’s game to compensate for his absence. Players like Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gündoğan, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, and De Bruyne stepped up to try to fill the gap in various ways, but they ultimately struggled to achieve consistent success with these adjustments.
Nico González needs to play more
Guardiola may not fully trust Nico González yet, and he is certainly not at the level of Rodri, but the 23-year-old is the best alternative available until Rodri can regain his top form.
Rodri has returned, but it seems it will take some time for him to find the form that earned him the 2024 Ballon d’Or. In the meantime, City needs a strong presence in midfield to maintain stability. Keeping the same structure is important, even though we know Guardiola often likes to make changes. González is additionally effective in aerial duels, winning many challenges in midfield and preventing opposing teams from securing possession on either the first or second long balls, which helps to disrupt their attacking flow.
González joined City for £50 million from FC Porto but has yet to prove his worth, largely due to limited playing time. In the seven months since his arrival, he has made 17 appearances for the team, starting in 12 of those matches.
Impact in numbers
In the 17 games that González played across all competitions, City achieved a 76% win rate, securing 78% of their total points (with a record of 13 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses). In games without him, these percentages fell to 38% for wins and 46% for points earned.
Examining in-game statistics, the Citizens appeared more solid and less vulnerable with Nico on the pitch. The ball possession percentages were similar, with 65% possession when he played compared to 67% when he did not. This indicates that his presence does not negatively impact the team’s ability to maintain possession, although he is not known for being a risky passer.
Without him, City conceded an average of 10.4 shots, 2.5 big chances, and 1.1 fast breaks per game. In contrast, with Nico on the field, these figures were lower, averaging 8.1 shots, 1.8 big chances, and just 0.5 fast breaks per game.
Transfer alternative?
If Guardiola doesn’t view González as a reliable option for when Rodri is unavailable or still hasn’t reached his best physical form, who are we to judge?
Nonetheless, City needs a player to fill that gap, providing some defensive presence and making opponents reconsider before advancing. Relying solely on technique and offensive skills from playmakers and even wide midfielders in that position has its limitations, as we’ve observed in recent months.
The only other current alternative for that role in the squad is Kalvin Phillips, but he has yet to live up to the expectations he created at Leeds United. He also faced challenges during loan spells at both West Ham and Ipswich Town over the past two seasons.
The club has been exploring market options and was reportedly pursuing Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães after Rodri injured his knee. Ultimately, they decided to go with Nico, but they may now regret investing so much money in a player who seemingly hasn’t earned the manager’s trust and hasn’t been placed in optimal situations to make an impact.