Manchester City has endured a challenging campaign, and one major factor behind their struggles has been the prolonged absence of midfield maestro Rodri. Since suffering a serious knee injury back in September, the Spanish international has been sorely missed by Pep Guardiola’s side. Now, five days into April, Guardiola has offered a long-awaited update on Rodri’s condition—one that has sparked renewed hope among fans.

The Citizens, who have dominated the Premier League for the past four seasons, find themselves in an unfamiliar position—chasing the pack. With Liverpool poised to snatch back the title, City’s title defense has quietly crumbled, and many insiders believe Rodri’s absence is the single most critical reason.

While some fans initially underestimated the impact of his absence, the harsh reality has now set in. City without Rodri has been a shadow of the dominant side they were. His role as the heartbeat of Guardiola’s midfield cannot be overstated. Whether shielding the defense, dictating tempo, or orchestrating attacks, Rodri has been the ultimate glue holding everything together.

Speaking to Super Sport, Pep Guardiola broke his silence on Rodri’s injury status, saying: “I would be delighted to have him back soon, but it was a difficult injury.” He admitted the midfielder has been out for an extended period—seven and a half to eight months—and while he’s slowly reintegrating into the squad, a full return is still a delicate process.

Despite the clear desire to have Rodri back for the season’s run-in, Guardiola remains cautious. The Spanish tactician hinted that rushing Rodri back could jeopardize the next campaign. “It may be more advantageous to ensure that Rodri is fully prepared for the upcoming season,” Guardiola explained, underlining the long-term importance of a full recovery.

Statistically, the impact of Rodri’s absence is irrefutable. Before his injury, Manchester City had a 74.1% win rate with him in the squad. Since then, the win rate has dipped to 61.9%. The difference is glaring, with a steep rise in draws and defeats highlighting the void left in midfield.

These numbers don’t lie. City with Rodri: 129 wins, 26 draws, 19 losses. City without Rodri: 13 wins, 1 draw, 7 losses. The midfielder’s influence is impossible to replicate.

The manager’s current focus is on preparing Rodri as if he were a “new signing” for next season. Guardiola noted that Rodri has begun light training but stressed the need for patience. “It’s positive that he’s back in some form of training,” Guardiola said, “but we must take it step by step.”

Rodri’s absence has also affected City’s style. Guardiola has tried various combinations—Mateo Kovačić, Kalvin Phillips, and even John Stones in defensive midfield—but none have replicated Rodri’s composure and football intelligence.

As the season enters its final stretch, the decision looms: gamble on Rodri’s return to salvage a place in the Champions League or keep him shelved and ensure full fitness for 2025/26. Guardiola appears to favor the latter, opting for long-term stability over short-term desperation.

Supporters, while disappointed, largely agree with the strategy. Many believe that throwing Rodri into high-stakes matches prematurely could risk aggravating his injury. After all, he’s still only 28 and has many peak years ahead.

City is expected to reshape their midfield this summer, partly to avoid such dependency in the future. But for now, Rodri remains their most irreplaceable piece—a fact that this season has proven beyond doubt.

If City are to challenge for silverware next season, a fully-fit Rodri will be at the heart of it. Guardiola knows that, the fans know that, and even rival managers likely admit it behind closed doors.

The road to recovery may be long, but for Manchester City, Rodri’s eventual return will feel like a world-class signing walking back through the door.