Premier League hits and misses: Manchester City suffer without Rodri, Sofyan Amrabat experiment fails for Man Utd
Plus: David Moyes believes Jarrod Bowen should be back in the England squad; Gareth Southgate names his next squad on Thursday ahead of a friendly against Australia and the Euro 2024 qualifier with Italy;
Saturday 30 September 2023 20:14, UK
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Since Rodri's Premier League debut in August 2019, Manchester City have lost 33 per cent of the top-flight matches they have played without the Spaniard, compared to just 7.5 per cent with him in their side.
The loss at Wolves — as well as the defeat at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup — add to the suspicion that City are just not the same without the dominating presence of Rodri.
Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic are fine players but City lacked urgency and imagination in possession, with Pep Guardiola responding by removing the former at half-time.
City were also flimsy when they lost the ball, with Pedro Neto in particular causing concern when he raided down their left side.
Rodri may not have been able to single-handedly change the outcome of events at Molineux, but the numbers show City are clearly a more vulnerable side without him.
After looking unbeatable during the first weeks of the season, City are suddenly on the ropes — and Mikel Arteta will be desperate to ensure Arsenal are the latest side to expose the hole left by Rodri at the Emirates next Sunday.
Joe Shread
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