Rodri facing spell on Man City sidelines as new details emerge – pundit
Rodri could be dropped by Pep Guardiola when he returns to Man City.
That’s according to former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Rodri’s World Cup exit.
The 26-year-old started every game for his national side during the competition.
Despite playing out to a draw in the round of 16, Spain were eliminated from the World Cup after losing 3-0 on penalties to Morocco.
As quoted by the Times after the defeat (7 December), the 26-year-old criticised their opponents’ counter-attacking game plan.
The Premier League midfielder claimed Morocco offered “absolutely nothing” in the game.
Rodri will link up with the rest of his teammates no longer in the competition ahead of the season restart on Boxing Day.
But McAvennie suggested the Spaniard might not make it back into the starting XI after his comments.
“Pep [Guardiola] will be on the phone telling him to get his head sorted before he gets back,” he told Football Insider.
“That is something that is in his head. So he will need to get that cleared out otherwise Pep will not play him if he is still hurting.“
Rodri has made 20 appearances for Guardiola’s side so far this season across all competitions.
In those outings he has provided three assists.
The Sky Blues return to competitive action on 22 December in the EFL Cup where they face Liverpool.
City’s first Premier League fixture on 28 December is away to Leeds United.
In other news, according to Kieran Maguire, Man City to cash in from Uefa ‘beauty parade’ as multiple new deals on cards.