Manchester City have been warned that Rodri will need another season to get anywhere close to his best again.

In September 2024, just off the back of a Ballon d'Or-winning season, the midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear and meniscus damage in his right knee during a league match against Arsenal.

Rodri, 29, underwent surgery and was out of action until matchweek 37, where he played seven minutes of football against Bournemouth. City, in his absence, looked a shadow of the side which had won four consecutive league titles, clearly missing both his defensive contributions and quality in possession.

That resulted in Pep Guardiola enduring the worst period of his managerial career and City finishing in third place - 13 points behind league champions Liverpool

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