VERY SAD Rodri News has been announced this morning by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Manchester City’s disappointing 2024-25 season triggered significant transfer market activity last summer.
The club secured reinforcements in goal, at left-back, and in midfield to breathe new life into Pep Guardiola’s squad. The approach has worked, with the Cityzens reestablishing themselves as a dominant force in English football.
However, with City expected to challenge for all four major trophies this season—particularly the Premier League and Champions League—there are still areas of their squad that could benefit from improvement.
While a rush of January signings seems unlikely, especially given Guardiola’s preference for a streamlined squad, City shouldn’t overlook potential opportunities in the transfer market, having already demonstrated their willingness to invest mid-season with last year’s busy January window.
Here are the positions they could strengthen this month, along with potential transfer targets.
Right-back has been problematic for City since Kyle Walker’s sudden decline in form. They currently have three options: Rico Lewis, a natural right-back, Matheus Nunes, a midfielder playing out of position, and Abdukodir Khusanov, who’s primarily a center-back.
There’s been widespread expectation that City would strengthen at right-back, but they chose not to sign anyone during the summer window. While Nunes appears to be Guardiola’s preferred choice, he still doesn’t look entirely settled in his converted role.
If City genuinely want to return to the pinnacle of English and European football, there’s a compelling argument that they need a world-class right-back—though admittedly such players are in short supply right now.
City were delighted to see Rodri return late last season and at the FIFA Club World Cup after recovering from a serious ACL injury, but the Spanish midfielder has encountered similar fitness problems this campaign. Persistent injury setbacks have restricted his availability in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Rodri can’t be expected to play every week for City, who need to carefully manage his playing time this season. His Spanish compatriot and backup, Nico González, hasn’t yet shown his full capabilities in Manchester.
The defensive midfielder provides solid protection and has mastered the tactical foul just as Rodri has, but he offers very little when City have possession. At just 24 years old, he’s still far from reaching the levels Rodri achieved at his peak.
