Manchester City are preparing for one of the most delicate junctures of their modern history as the club moves on from Pep Guardiola’s decade-long reign and hands the reins to Enzo Maresca, with the future of Rodri emerging as the defining dilemma of the new era.
The Premier League side, no longer the reigning champions of England, are reshaping a squad that delivered the historic treble, while several key figures from that success have departed and uncertainty grows around one of their most influential players.
At the heart of the debate is whether City should keep faith with one of the leading midfielders in world football despite his injury concerns and a contract that is edging towards its final stretch, or cash in while his market value remains high amid strong interest from Real Madrid.
The outcome is expected to shape Maresca’s midfield for years to come – and could determine how smoothly City transition away from the Guardiola era.
Rodri’s importance and Real Madrid interest
Rodri has been the on‐field fulcrum of City’s play, protecting the defence, dictating tempo and providing a platform for the team’s attacking structure. His performances in recent seasons have placed him firmly in the conversation as one of the best holding midfielders in the game.
However, City must now confront several complicating factors. The Spain international has been managing physical issues, raising questions over his long‐term durability at the intensity demanded by the club. At the same time, his existing contract is moving closer to its conclusion, leaving the Premier League side with a strategic decision over whether to extend, sell or risk losing leverage further down the line.
Real Madrid’s interest adds another layer of pressure. The European champions view the midfielder as a potential cornerstone of their next cycle and are monitoring the situation closely. That attention offers City the possibility of a significant fee if they choose to sell, but would also mean parting with a player who has been central to their recent dominance.
Financial and sporting balance
City’s hierarchy must weigh up the financial upside of a major sale against the sporting risk of losing a uniquely influential player at the start of a new managerial project.
Retaining Rodri would provide Maresca with continuity in the most tactically sensitive area of the pitch, easing the transition from Guardiola’s methods and allowing the new head coach to build around a familiar structure. Selling him, by contrast, could free up substantial funds and salary space to overhaul multiple areas of the squad, but would force Maresca and the recruitment department to identify, sign and bed in a replacement capable of performing one of the most demanding roles in elite European football.
The club are also conscious that any decision on Rodri will be interpreted as a signal of their broader strategy post‐Guardiola – whether they intend to double down on the existing core of the treble‐winning side or pivot more aggressively towards a refreshed group tailored specifically to Maresca’s ideas.
Maresca’s midfield blueprint
The Italian is tasked with designing a midfield that can function at the highest level under either scenario – with Rodri at its base or without him.
If the Spaniard stays, Maresca is expected to maintain a system that uses a deep‐lying pivot to orchestrate play, allowing City to dominate possession and control the rhythm of matches much as they did under Guardiola. In that case, the focus would shift towards complementary profiles around Rodri, ensuring the team remain balanced amid the departures of other treble‐era standouts.
Should Rodri leave, however, Maresca’s challenge becomes significantly more complex. City would need to reconstruct their midfield dynamic, possibly altering their build‐up patterns, pressing triggers and overall structure. The new coach would have to decide whether to seek a like‐for‐like replacement, spread Rodri’s responsibilities across several players, or adopt a different configuration altogether.
Regardless of the final decision, City know that how they handle Rodri’s situation – and how effectively Maresca reshapes the midfield in response – will go a long way to defining the success of their first chapter after Guardiola.
