‘We are playing without the best player in England’ – Guardiola vows Man City will be ‘strong again’ when Rodri returns | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has admitted his Man City side are missing midfielder Rodri a lot this season.

City have won just one of the last ten games in all competitions and have been without Rodri since their earlier season draw with Arsenal following an ACL injury, which is expected to keep him out for the rest of the campaign.

Guardiola says injury and fitness issues are to blame for his side’s surprising struggles and highlighted Rodri as the biggest absence.

“If we need players then we go to the transfer market but I don’t know who is around,” he said ahead of the clash with rivals Manchester United.

“We have known it from the beginning but Rodri is a Ballon D’Or player. We are playing without the best player in England last season. That is the problem.

“Not one other team plays with a central midfielder who has a Ballon D’or. It is difficult.

“The moment he comes back, we will be strong again. We will be a good team.

“Of course, we still have to try and play the same way and to win. Sooner or later we are going to be back.”