Manchester City’s Potential Midfield Targets to Cover for Rodri’s Absence

Martin Zubimendi, Ederson, and Samuele Ricci are among the players who have been linked with Manchester City. Following four consecutive losses across all competitions, the likelihood of Manchester City acquiring a substitute for their injured midfielder, Rodri, has risen. Rodri, the Ballon d’Or recipient, is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament rupture sustained in September against Arsenal. While Mateo Kovacic has deputized, his performances have occasionally been inconsistent, exposing Pep Guardiola’s team to counter-attacks. BBC Sport has investigated potential January targets linked with the Blues, considering both immediate replacements for Rodri this season and future partners, alongside a comparison of their current season’s performance. Martin Zubimendi, a 25-year-old Spanish midfielder, has been consistently linked with Manchester City since Rodri’s injury. Liverpool showed interest during the summer, but he chose to remain with Real Sociedad. He reportedly possesses a £51.7m release clause, which is not anticipated to deter City from pursuing a player who primarily operates as a defensive midfielder but can also advance slightly. Zubimendi has played alongside Rodri for Spain and made a notable impact when substituting the City player at half-time in the Euro 2024 final win against England. Although Sociedad regularly participates in European competitions, Zubimendi has only one season of Champions League experience. The 25-year-old Brazilian, Ederson, is another individual connected with the Blues. He is a key figure for Atalanta, but his current season marks his inaugural experience in Champions League football, which could be a point of consideration. He typically occupies a central midfield position but has also played in deeper and more advanced roles. The transfer fee he would command is expected to be among the highest of the potential candidates, yet his age also positions him as a long-term investment. Samuele Ricci, a 23-year-old Italian, was among the initial players linked with City following Rodri’s injury. Reports indicated that the Blues dispatched scouts to observe Torino’s match against Inter Milan to assess Ricci. He can operate as a defensive midfielder or in a slightly more advanced position and has established himself as a regular in Italy’s national team since Euro 2024. While his career trajectory is upward, he lacks experience in any European club competitions, which might be a disadvantage. Ricci has stated that he watches videos of Rodri to enhance his own play. Hakan Calhanoglu, a 30-year-old Turkish midfielder, has been referenced in recent weeks. He possesses greater experience than many other players reportedly under consideration, and reports suggest Inter Milan “could be open” to his sale. He brings extensive Champions League experience and offers versatility, primarily as a defensive midfielder but with the capacity to advance. Bayern Munich, under the management of former City captain Vincent Kompany, is also reportedly interested. Tijjani Reijnders, a 26-year-old Dutch midfielder, has been identified as a potential target in recent weeks. Reports indicate that City has “tested the waters” regarding a transfer, while other sources suggest Milan intends to double his wages to deter interest. Reijnders typically plays a more advanced central midfield role, which could complement Rodri upon his return. He also has Champions League experience from the last two seasons. Adam Wharton, a 20-year-old English midfielder, was linked with most leading Premier League teams following his strong start at Crystal Palace, where he arrived in January. This performance led to his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, and another transfer appeared imminent. However, Wharton has experienced a dip in form this season and is currently sidelined due to groin surgery. Consequently, a January transfer is improbable, but City and other high-ranking Premier League clubs will continue to monitor him, particularly given his ability to provide midfield balance as a left-footed player. Frenkie de Jong, a 27-year-old Dutch midfielder, has frequently been associated with a Premier League transfer, including to City, prior to his move to Barcelona. However, his name has not been raised as a current potential option, as he is presently contending with issues of form and fitness. Nevertheless, he could potentially serve as an effective partner for Rodri, given his capacity to play in a more advanced position. He also possesses extensive experience in both domestic and European football. Leon Goretzka, a 29-year-old German midfielder, is considered an outside possibility, as he is currently out of favour at Bayern Munich and might seek a transfer. While he is likely not a direct replacement for Rodri, he could function well as a partner. Goretzka brings considerable experience, particularly in the Champions League, and could introduce an additional dimension to City’s midfield. However, this prospect appears improbable. Nicolo Barella, a 27-year-old, is perhaps City’s ideal acquisition, though it is highly unlikely to materialize in January. Previous reports indicated that Guardiola “would love to sign” Barella, but this has not been feasible, as the player is crucial to Inter’s recent triumphs in Italy and Europe. He would provide City with midfield versatility and appears to be a player who would complement Rodri effectively. This move might be more plausible in the future. Identifying a truly exceptional candidate among the available options is challenging, and it becomes even more so when comparing any prospective acquisition to Rodri, widely considered the world’s best. Zubimendi possesses defensive attributes that would appeal to City; his statistics for tackles (2.6), interceptions (1.1), and clearances (2.2) per 90 minutes are superior to those of other players mentioned in this analysis. His passing accuracy is a respectable 86.9%, though his volume of attempted passes is among the lowest. However, the context of his current team must be considered; Sociedad is a competent side but ranks eighth in La Liga, implying he would have greater possession at City. The choice also hinges on the specific type of midfielder City seeks and the role envisioned for them upon Rodri’s comeback. Rodri himself is adaptable and has evolved his play to incorporate more dribbling and forward runs; it is conceivable he could transition into a central midfield position upon his return. This scenario might lead City to prioritize a defensively robust option, such as Zubimendi or Wharton. Conversely, if Rodri maintains his ‘six role’ as a defensive midfielder, City might favor a ball-playing midfielder, bringing Reijnders and Calhanoglu (who boasts the highest number of passes into the final third among the candidates) to the forefront due to their notable passing accuracy. Furthermore, there is the element of the unknown. Torino, Ricci’s current club, is positioned 11th in Serie A. At City, he would be surrounded by superior players and would likely see more of the ball. The question arises whether there is untapped potential for City to develop. Rodri will forever be a fan favorite at City, having scored the decisive goal that secured their inaugural Champions League trophy and becoming the club’s first Ballon d’Or winner. Nevertheless, upon his arrival, there were uncertainties regarding his long-term suitability as Fernandinho’s successor. These concerns were gradually dispelled. The 28-year-old has refined his game over the years, consistently striving for improvement. He was outstanding during the club’s Treble-winning campaign in 2022-23, and further enhanced nearly every aspect of his play last season. His goal tally increased from four to nine across all competitions, while he also executed and completed more passes, won more duels, and successfully completed more tackles. A comparison of Rodri’s statistics from last season with the current season’s figures for the aforementioned potential arrivals underscores the significant challenge awaiting any new signing. Rodri would lead in both attempted and successful passes, as well as duels won. He would rank third for passing accuracy and tackles won. His position for interceptions would be sixth, though City typically maintains high possession.