Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has expressed his hopes for the return of midfielder Rodri, stating that he wishes for the player to be back in time for the Club World Cup. Rodri, a central midfielder known for his exceptional passing range and vision, has been sidelined due to injury. “Back for the Club World Cup? I wish, I hope”, Guardiola said, indicating that the player’s recovery is progressing well but the intensity of competition may pose a challenge.
Injury Update and Recovery
According to Guardiola, Rodri is “behaving really well on the pitch already”, suggesting that the player is making good progress in his rehabilitation. However, the manager also cautioned that “competition is completely different”, implying that the true test of Rodri’s fitness will come when he is thrown into the midst of competitive matches. Guardiola’s approach to Rodri’s recovery is “step by step”, with the manager trusting the player to regain his form gradually.
Manager’s Approach
Guardiola’s comments on Rodri’s return are tempered with a sense of caution, reflecting the manager’s careful approach to handling player injuries. With Manchester City competing on multiple fronts, the manager will be keen to ensure that Rodri is fully fit before throwing him back into the fray. As reported, Guardiola has been praising several of his players in recent weeks, including Khusanov, Rico Lewis, and Erling Haaland, but his comments on Rodri’s return are focused on the player’s gradual recovery rather than his potential impact on the team.