Updated: 31 July 2026
Manchester City have confirmed that Rodri underwent successful minor back surgery after experiencing discomfort.
The club described the next stage as a short period of rehabilitation, but Rodri had already been expected to miss the start of the season.
His absence matters because City's results have historically weakened without him.
Premier League analysis reports that City's win rate since Rodri joined falls from 71.4 percent with him to 60.0 percent without him. Their goals conceded per match increase from 0.84 to 1.07.
The immediate FPL impact
| Area | With Rodri | Without Rodri | FPL concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control of possession | Stronger | More vulnerable to transitions | Defenders face greater clean-sheet risk |
| Defensive protection | Elite | Reduced | Opponents may create better chances |
| Midfield selection | Stable base | New role must be assigned | Rotation and tactical uncertainty |
| Haaland service | Structured | May become more direct | Could help counters but reduce control |
| Bonus and defensive contributions | Rodri accumulates actions | Actions spread among replacements | New midfield value may emerge |
Is Haaland affected?
Haaland remains the safest Manchester City selection.
City begin at home to Bournemouth, and Haaland's position as the central striker is not threatened by Rodri's injury.
Possible positives
- Faster, more direct attacks
- More transition opportunities
- Greater need for Haaland's goals
- Strong opening fixtures
- Penalty responsibility
Possible negatives
- Less sustained possession around the penalty area
- Fewer controlled attacks
- Greater risk of City losing match dominance
- Possible workload management after the World Cup
OneFPL verdict: Rodri's absence is not a reason to avoid Haaland.
Phil Foden
Foden costs £7.0m and had a full summer after missing England's World Cup squad.
Rodri's absence can influence him in two opposite ways.
Positive scenario
Maresca uses a more attacking midfielder beside a holding player, allowing Foden to remain close to Haaland.
Negative scenario
Foden is asked to help control possession from a deeper area or rotates with several attacking midfielders.
The final pre-season matches must confirm whether he plays as:
- A central number 10
- A right-sided attacker
- An advanced number eight
- A deeper control midfielder
OneFPL verdict: Good price, role still uncertain.
Elliot Anderson
Anderson joined City after earning strong defensive-contribution returns for Nottingham Forest.
Rodri's absence could improve his chance of starting in central midfield.
However, moving from a lower-possession side to City may reduce the number of tackles, recoveries and defensive actions available.
| Factor | Forest | Manchester City |
|---|---|---|
| Team possession | Lower | Expected to be higher |
| Defensive-action opportunities | Higher | Potentially lower |
| Clean-sheet environment | Weaker | Stronger |
| Rotation competition | Lower | Much higher |
| Attacking teammates | Good | Elite |
OneFPL verdict: Tactical winner, but not automatically a Fantasy winner.
Tijjani Reijnders and Mateo Kovacic
Reijnders and Kovacic can gain central-midfield minutes while Rodri recovers.
Reijnders offers greater attacking potential. Kovacic offers experience and ball progression.
Neither should be selected simply because Rodri is absent. Managers need to know which player:
- Starts consistently
- Plays closest to the box
- Completes 70 or more minutes
- Receives set pieces
- Avoids rotation around Champions League matches
Nico and other holding midfielders
Maresca may prefer a specialist holding player rather than asking an attacking midfielder to replace Rodri.
This can improve the defensive stability of the team without creating a strong FPL asset.
A low-cost holding midfielder is only useful when defensive contributions and secure minutes are strong enough to compensate for limited goals and assists.
Does the injury reduce City's defensive appeal?
Yes, slightly.
It does not make the defence unusable.
City still have elite defenders and a strong goalkeeper, but the combination of Rodri's absence, a new manager and defensive competition creates uncertainty.
Current defensive considerations
| Player | FPL appeal | Main concern |
|---|---|---|
| Donnarumma | Secure route when first choice | Premium goalkeeper price |
| Marc Guehi | Strong previous FPL output | New team and tactical adaptation |
| Nico O'Reilly | Attacking and bonus potential | Position and rotation |
| Matheus Nunes | Defender classification with advanced possibilities | Exact role |
| Gvardiol | Goal threat and clean sheets | Competition and price |
| Ruben Dias | Leadership and central role | Lower attacking ceiling |
Use OneFPL Compare to compare the defenders once pre-season minutes are available.
City without Rodri: winners and losers
| Category | Player or group | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Safest winner | Haaland | Role and penalties unchanged |
| Tactical opportunity | Anderson | Greater chance of central-midfield minutes |
| Potential attacking winner | Foden | Could receive more creative responsibility |
| Set-piece watch | Reijnders and Cherki | More responsibility may become available |
| Defensive loser | City defenders | Historical clean-sheet environment weakens without Rodri |
| Rotation loser | Central midfielders | Several players can fill the role |
| Avoid | Rodri | Rehabilitation and uncertain return |
What to watch before Gameweek 1
- Who starts as the deepest midfielder
- Whether Foden plays centrally
- Whether Anderson starts with the first team
- Which defenders play together
- Rodri's return to team training
- Maresca's comments on the rehabilitation period
- The Community Shield lineup
OneFPL verdict
Haaland remains the best City pick.
Rodri's injury slightly reduces confidence in a defensive double-up and creates opportunities in midfield, but no replacement is yet secure enough to become a clear FPL selection.
Use OneFPL Injury News and OneFPL Fixtures before finalising City players.
FAQ
What surgery did Rodri have?
Manchester City confirmed successful minor back surgery.
How long is Rodri out?
The club described a short rehabilitation period but has not provided an exact competitive return date.
Does Rodri's injury make Haaland a worse pick?
Not enough to remove Haaland from consideration. His role, penalties and opening fixtures remain excellent.
Should I avoid Manchester City defenders?
No, but the injury and new-manager uncertainty make a defensive double-up riskier.
Official source
OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
OneFPL analysis. OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
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