Manchester City are facing a make-or-break moment as they navigate the treacherous waters of squad transition under new boss Enzo Maresca. And at the very epicentre of this turmoil is star midfielder Rodri – the golden boy who captained Spain to World Cup glory and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player just months ago. But now, a cruel twist of fate has dealt him a serious blow: on Monday, 29 July 2026, he will undergo back surgery, sparking intense speculation about his long-term future at the Etihad.
Maresca, fresh from succeeding Pep Guardiola, wasted no time in outlining his vision for City's midfield – and Rodri's crucial role within it. "I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player," Maresca declared at his inaugural press conference, underlining his plan to nurse Rodri back to fitness before rejoining the squad. But whispers linking Rodri with Real Madrid suggest City may face an almighty battle to keep one of their most influential players – prompting questions over whether they'll cash in on him once he's back fit and firing.
The potential departure of Rodri would be a hammer blow to City, already reeling from the loss of four Treble-winning starters this summer. Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones have all bid adieu to the Etihad, leaving gaping holes in Maresca's midfield machine. But in response, City have splashed out a staggering £116 million on Elliot Anderson – a 23-year-old midfielder with an eye for the goal and a knack for adapting to new roles.
Maresca's revolutionary tactics are already causing a stir – drawing comparisons to chess due to their intricate positional play. Rodri's versatility, showcased during Spain's World Cup triumph where he seamlessly transitioned between holding midfielder and centre-back, would be crucial in implementing Maresca's dynamic midfield rotations. With Anderson on board, the manager has the perfect pawn to execute his system – able to cover multiple positions with ease, providing Maresca with the flexibility needed to adapt to any situation.
The resolution of Rodri's future will be a defining factor in shaping City's midfield for the upcoming season. As they look to rebuild and rediscover their winning formula under Maresca, one thing is clear: Rodri's situation will determine whether City can challenge on all fronts once more or fall prey to the growing list of contenders vying for supremacy.