Now that Rodri has suffered an ACL injury, it is worth wondering whether Manchester City will sign a replacement for him in the January transfer window.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Sky Blues expect the Spanish international to be sidelined for the entirety of the 2024/2025 season.
Some players at City could replace Rodri and do a job at the base of midfield such as Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan and John Stones to name a few.
But the Manchester City anchor is a truly special player.
Jamie O’Hara is one of the many pundits who have claimed that Rodri is the best defensive midfielder in the world.
As a result, Pep Guardiola would have every reason to have his head in his hands after knowing that the 28-year-old will be ruled out for the full extent of the ongoing campaign.
However, if City make a move for a certain player to replace Rodri in January, they could also go on to humiliate Liverpool.
Manchester City could humiliate Liverpool with Rodri replacement
The player in question is Martin Zubimendi, who Fabrizio Romano revealed on Sunday is still attracting interest from Arne Slot’s side after they missed out on his signature in the summer.
Romano stated on his YouTube channel: “Liverpool didn’t sign another midfielder this summer because they only add players when they see top level, top potential, top value. This case, the case of [Martin] Zubimendi, is also very clear — they tried in every way to get him. So, Liverpool interest remains.”
“Zubimendi remains a player of interest for Liverpool. The board, the directors, also the manager, Arne Slot, approved Zubimendi as a target but now they understand nothing is new, nothing is fresh, nothing is changed despite some reports in Spain saying Zubimendi was already regretting his decision.”
The Italian journalist concluded: “Maybe in January , he could move but at the moment, Liverpool have received no indications from Real Sociedad, from Zubimendi, about any change. This is why Arne Slot didn’t want to comment now it is almost one month since we had the saga.”
Whether Manchester City are even intending to secure the Real Sociedad midfielder’s services in January will be interesting to see.
But the 25-year-old would make for a brilliant replacement for Rodri.
Zubimendi famously replaced the £220,000-a-week man at half-time after he picked up an injury during the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England; a game where the former put in a stellar display.
Similarly to Rodri, the San Sebastian-born star is a player who is renowned for being a brilliant technician, capable of breaking the lines at will and orchestrating how his team plays from the base of midfield.
Former Barcelona boss described the Spaniard as an “extraordinary defensive midfielder” — as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Considering Fabrizio Romano revealed that Liverpool remain interested in signing Zubimendi, if City managed to win the race for his signature in January, they could kill two birds with one stone.
Firstly, the Real Sociedad talisman would be a top-class replacement for Rodri.
Secondly, the Sky Blues would also be able to snag a Premier League title rival such as Liverpool’s primary target in the middle of the park — whose services they chased throughout the summer and yet, the deal did not come to fruition.
Arne Slot and Co. would certainly have every reason to be left frustrated if City managed to wrap up Zubimendi’s signing in quick-time in the winter window.
So far this season, Liverpool have placed their trust in Ryan Gravenberch as their go-to number six — a position where he has been a revelation.
However, only time will tell whether the Dutch international can sustain his brilliance while managing to remain fit until the end of the campaign.
Liverpool could choose to be safe rather than sorry and explore a move for Zubimendi.
However, with Manchester City still being better-placed to contend for the Premier League and the Champions League over the Reds, they could beat them to his signature if a transfer tug-of-war was initiated between both clubs.
Whether City decide to do so remains unknown but Liverpool would certainly be hoping they do not join the queue for Zubimendi’s signature in January.
