Imagine a Premier League powerhouse struggling to field their star midfielder due to persistent injuries—sound familiar? Well, Manchester City fans are holding their breath as Rodri’s fitness saga continues. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, who battled back from a season-derailing ACL injury, is now sidelined again with a nagging hamstring issue. It’s a frustrating repeat for both player and club, especially after hopes were high for his return post-November international break. But here’s where it gets tricky: Pep Guardiola confirmed in a brief presser that Rodri isn’t match-fit yet, ruling him out of the Fulham clash at Craven Cottage. And this is the part most people miss—with Mateo Kovacic still recovering from ankle surgery, City’s midfield depth is suddenly looking thin. Is Guardiola’s rotation strategy to blame, or just bad luck? Let’s not forget his decision to rest key players against Bayer Leverkusen backfired spectacularly, resulting in a 2-0 Champions League defeat at the Etihad. Speaking of rest, Guardiola’s comments on Erling Haaland’s workload are raising eyebrows. ‘Sometimes it’s better to keep playing,’ he said, questioning whether rest truly benefits the striker’s unique physique. But is this approach sustainable, or a recipe for burnout? Meanwhile, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and Bernardo Silva seem to thrive on consistent playtime. As City prepare for Fulham, the predicted lineup sees Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, a backline of Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Lewis O’Reilly, with Bernardo Silva, Nico Williams, and Tijjani Reijnders in midfield. Upfront, Foden, Haaland, and Doku are expected to lead the charge. But with Rodri and Kovacic out, can City’s midfield dominate? The match kicks off at 7:30 PM GMT on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, live on Sky Sports. What’s your take—is Guardiola’s injury management on point, or is City’s season at risk? Let’s debate in the comments!
