Rodri to undergo surgery after this Monday, Enzo Maresca brushes off transfer rumors
Enzo Maresca, the new manager of Manchester City, confirms that Rodri, the Spain midfielder, will undergo surgery following an injury issue while also dismissing transfer rumors linking him to Real Madrid.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Rodri will undergo back injury surgery this Monday, as confirmed by Enzo Maresca
- Maresca brushes off transfer rumors linking the midfielder with Real Madrid
- The new manager acknowledges the challenge of taking over the baton from former manager Pep Guardiola
Rodri, a World Cup winner and 30-year-old Spain national team captain, will undergo surgery to treat a back injury issue this Monday. The news was directly confirmed by Enzo Maresca, the new manager of Manchester City, during his first official press conference since taking the job.
Rodri's club career over the past two seasons has faced heavy disruptions due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury that kept him sidelined for almost the entire 2024-25 season, along with recurring injuries that frequently caused him to miss matches over the past year. However, the Ballon d'Or and Golden Ball tournament best player award winner recently showcased brilliant form to lead the Spain national team to a World Cup victory just a week ago.
Maresca spoke about his player's treatment plan, stating that following Monday's surgery, Rodri will need time to rest and rehabilitate his body before rejoining the Sky Blues squad. However, the Italian manager has not yet specified an exact timeframe for the star midfielder's comeback.
Losing Rodri at the start of the Enzo Maresca era is a major test, as the midfielder's role is crucial for controlling the tempo and anchoring the defense in Manchester City's midfield. His need for surgery after enduring a grueling World Cup campaign reflects the physical toll accumulated from prior injuries.
Beyond the injury situation, Maresca also addressed questions about Rodri's future amid intense rumors over the past week linking him with Real Madrid. The 46-year-old manager affirmed that he is not concerned at all, considering it completely normal for top players who have just won the World Cup to become targets of transfer speculation.
"Around good players, there are always rumors, so I am not worried about that. I think it's normal because they won the World Cup, and because he is one of the players every manager wants to work with since he is a top player."
Enzo Maresca
Regarding preparations for the new season, Maresca expects players who have not yet reported to rejoin the squad approximately 3 to 4 days before Manchester City face Premier League champions Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 16.
During this press conference, Maresca—who succeeds Pep Guardiola, the manager who won 20 trophies in 10 years—also discussed the challenge of taking over from his senior colleague, with whom he worked as an assistant during the 2022-23 treble-winning season. He praised Pep as the best coach in the world over the past 20-25 years. Additionally, Maresca declined to comment further on the futures of other players, such as goalkeeper James Trafford, who has been linked with a transfer, and midfielder Jack Grealish, who recently returned from a loan spell at Everton and is back training with the squad.
Source: BBC Sport
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