Rodri Out, City Eyes the Next Man Up: A Midfield Reboot Ahead of Villarreal and Villa
20 October 2025
Injury Update
Rodri Hernández, Manchester City’s midfield engine, will miss the trip to Villarreal and the home match against Aston Villa as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old, who spent much of last season sidelined with a serious knee problem, also picked up a setback in the first half of City’s 1-0 win over Brentford on October 5 and was subsequently left out of Spain’s squad for October’s World Cup qualifiers.
He also missed City’s 2-0 victory over Everton at the Etihad on Saturday.
Guardiola spoke ahead of the Villarreal fixture, saying: “I don’t think he’ll be present for Villarreal or Aston Villa. It’s not a long period, but it requires effort and caution.”
“We have tried not to take risks, but we couldn’t avoid it. We’ll see,” he added.
Context and Tactical Impact
City travel to Villarreal, Rodri’s former club, on Tuesday in the Champions League group stage, before welcoming Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.
City sit second in the Premier League with 16 points from eight games, three adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Rodri’s ACL injury last year already shaped City’s campaign. The Spaniard is more than a defensive midfielder; he is the heartbeat of City’s possession-based style, anchoring the build, dictating tempo, and offering essential protection to the back line.
His absence unsettles City’s balance, as Pep Guardiola relies on him to regulate the tempo, shield the defense, and enable rapid transitions to attack.
Without Rodri, City have faced a dip in form and a temporary drop in confidence at tight moments, despite having quality stand-ins such as Kovacic, Gundogan, and others stepping up.
Looking Ahead and Squad Renewal
City’s depth remains a positive. In January, Guardiola brought in Nico González to help cover Rodri’s gap, with hopes he could feature against Everton.
The club’s broader planning has included a refresh of the squad. City completed seven signings for the 2025-2026 season, among them goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford, and Marcus Bettinelli, plus outfield additions such as Ryan Aït-Nouri, Tijani Reinders, and Rayan Cherki, among others.
Guardiola remains confident City can rebound, leveraging experience and talent to reclaim momentum in England and on the continent.
Punchline 1: If patience were a player, City would have won the league already—then again, patience isn’t on the payroll, and hamstrings never sign autographs.
Punchline 2: Rodri’s injury might be the only thing that travels slower than the transfer rumours—except in October, when even the medical room gets a dramatic entrance.
