Injury Agony: So sad! Pep Guardiola Man city seriously contemplating” on cutting Ipswich Town recent” kalvin Phillips contract short after facing troubling injury huddle against Arsenal” deal could be terminated…
The Spanish international was taken off the field after just 21 minutes of the weekend’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal due to what appeared to be injury to his right knee’s anterior cruciate ligament. Rodri, being marshaled by Gunners midfielder Thomas Partey, attacked a Manchester City corner at the near post.
He went down visibly uncomfortable and signaled for quick medical treatment and a substitution from the game.
Having been replaced by Mateo Kovacic for the remainder of the match, Rodri has since undergone examination on his right knee which is likely to rule him out for the remainder of Manchester City’s 2024/25 season.
As such, there are already conversations as to how Manchester City could look for the rest of the campaign, and what solutions Pep Guardiola could turn to in the absence of arguably their most crucial player.
One such name that has been tenuously discussed in some quarters is Kalvin Phillips, who has experienced a challenging time since joining the Etihad Stadium project from Leeds United in the summer of 2022.
The Premier League winners, however, do not have a recall option in the contract with Ipswich Town that saw Phillips sign a loan deal to play for the newly promoted top division team this season, according to information obtained by Ali Rampling of The Athletic.
City are more likely to turn to existing options for the remainder of the season, but there remains a slim chance that the club could reinvest in Rodri’s role during the notoriously challenging January transfer window.
Mateo Kovacic has performed to a high standard during the opening matches of the season, partaking in the opening four Premier League outings that Manchester City secured victories in prior to the score draw with Arsenal.
Defenders Rico Lewis and John Stones have also operated in the defensive midfield role alongside a teammate, inverting into the position when in possession from a starting right-back role.
Additionally, Pep Guardiola trialled Elite Development Squad captain and attacking midfield talent Nico O’Reilly in the defensive midfield position during the pre-season tour and most notably in the FA Community Shield against Manchester United back in August.
