Pep Guardiola told he made 'masterstroke' transfer and Man City will immediately benefit

Micah Richards has claimed that Ilkay Gundogan could be the key to solving Manchester City's midfield problem in Rodri's absence.

City confirmed that Rodri suffered a knee ligament injury during the 2-2 draw with title contenders Arsenal at the weekend. After a 2-1 win over Watford in the League Cup, Guardiola said: "Still we don't have the definitive [diagnosis] but he will be out for a long time - a while. But there are some opinions that maybe it will be less than we expected.

"We are waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors for what definitely he has and the type of surgery he has to get. We expect that tonight, tomorrow we will know exactly."

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While worries may begin to build surrounding the midfield dilemma at the club, former City player Richards has claimed that Gundogan could be the answer to this issue, following his return to Manchester from Barcelona this summer.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, 36-year-old pundit Richards said: "Yeah, it's staggering, he's the best holding midfielder in world football and I think we all agree on that. I think it's been a little bit of a masterstroke getting Gundogan back in, and obviously they didn't know Rodri was going to get injured.

"But people forget, they've still got Matheus Nunes who they got from Wolves, he's a very good player. But in terms of assisting the way that Man City want to play on the ball and the way they dictate play, Nunes is not stepped up enough yet, you know, with the games he's been given, and it's been difficult."

Richards also discussed the importance of Rodri in the City side, and how "devastated" he was to see the midfielder suffer a long-term injury.

He continued: "But now, we know Rodri can play in a 6, he can play in an 8, he can play in the number 10, but it's a huge miss. And it's not just his stature, it's not just his passing, he knows the tactical plan, he controls the tempo of football matches and not a lot of players can do that.

"If you see where he receives the ball, just when you think the opposing team is pressing, and they're going to get the ball, Rodri just somehow manages to wiggle his way out and starts an attack for Man City and they get out. So yeah I'm absolutely devastated for him."

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After confirmation of the injury, City added that Rodri travelled to Spain to "seek specialist consultation" following initial tests during the week.

They added: "Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the injury and expected prognosis. Everyone at the Club wishes him a speedy recovery."

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