Rodri's absence from Manchester City has been a topic of debate, but data shows the team performs better with him. Since his debut, City has higher win percentages and better overall stats when he plays.
[Getty Images]
Over the course of Rodri's hugely successful Manchester City career, one thing is plain; Pep Guardiola's side are a better team with him than without him.
It's a view backed up by the data. Since his debut in August 2019, City have a better win percentage, score more goals, concede fewer goals and have more possession in Premier League games when the Spaniard plays compared to when he is absent.
The vast majority of those absences have come in the past two seasons. When City charged to an unprecedented four league titles in a row, Rodri missed just seven matchday squads - and three of those were through suspension.
At the start of the 2024-25 season, an ACL tear sustained five weeks before he won the Ballon d'Or meant he missed more than seven months of action and Liverpool won the league.
His current campaign has been blighted by a hamstring problem but, reassuringly for City fans, the numbers suggest Guardiola's squad is learning to cope without the 29-year-old.
Of the 11 games he missed between late September and New Year's Day, City won nine.
The four-time title winner has made 195 league appearances in six seasons at Etihad Stadium and Guardiola labelled him "the best midfield player in the world by far" a couple of years ago.
There's no doubt his physicality and intelligence in possession is crucial to their success, but the impact of his absence this season has perhaps been overstated.
Data indicates that Manchester City has a better win percentage, scores more goals, and concedes fewer goals when Rodri is in the lineup.
Since Rodri's debut in August 2019, Manchester City has improved in several key metrics, including possession and goal statistics, when he plays compared to when he is absent.
Rodri missed just seven matchday squads during Manchester City's unprecedented four league titles in a row, with three of those absences due to suspension.
Mitch Marner's first playoff hat trick helps Golden Knights rout Ducks 6-2, taking a 2-1 series lead.
Victor Wembanyama drops 39 points as Spurs take a 2-1 lead over Timberwolves
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.