'Genuinely': Kevin Nolan shares whether Manchester City can win the Champions League after Rodri's injury
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Manchester City suffered a massive injury blow earlier this month as Rodri limped out of their 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
The Spanish midfielder has damaged his ACL and his meniscus and is set to miss the rest of the 2024-25 campaign.
Manchester City have other midfielders like Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, but Rodri’s absence is undoubtedly a huge blow as he is hailed as the best defensive midfielder in world football.
In the wake of his injury, Kevin Nolan has had his way on whether or not Manchester City can compete for major honours in his absence.
Kevin Nolan plays down Manchester City’s Champions League hopes
Kevin Nolan feels Rodri’s injury will leave the other players in his position with a point to prove, although he claimed they probably won’t challenge for the UEFA Champions League due to the Spaniard’s absence.
"I think this will galvanise the squad a bit because they have lost one of their top, top men,” Nolan said on BBC 5 Live Sport.
“I think Rodri will be in and around them once he has had his operation. Do I see them winning the Champions League and everything else now? No.”
Read More:Why Rodri injury at Manchester City could actually spell bad news for Liverpool
However, the former Premier League midfielder believes Guardiola will be eager to sign off at Man City with a record-breaking fifth title on the bounce, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Nolan continued: “But does Pep want to go and get the fifth Premier League title? I think he does.
“I think he will want to bow out, if this is going to be his last year, I think he will want to bow out in a fantastic style, having five Premier Leagues on the spin.
“I genuinely feel that this has motivated him more, something like this, backs against the wall."
Who can replace Rodri?
Gundogan’s return to the club earlier this summer is now looking like a masterstroke as the midfielder has the experience and the skill to play in that position.
Read More: Whether Manchester City can recall Kalvin Phillips from Ipswich Town after Rodri injury
Rodri’s injury also presents golden opportunities for Nunes and Kovacic to stake a claim for a spot in the team, with the pair blowing hot and cold since moving to the club.
It remains to be seen if Guardiola dips into the market in the January transfer window as he aims to navigate virtually an entire season without Rodri.
