Has Rodri absence cost Man City? Or is his importance overstated?

Manchester City's trophyless 2024-25 season was derailed by a series of injuries to key first-team players - none more important than Rodri.

The Spain captain sustained a serious knee injury that ruled him out for most of the campaign and City endured the unthinkable under Pep Guardiola by ending the season without any silverware for the first time in eight years.

The midfielder was awarded the Ballon d'Or in 2024, which not only confirmed his status as the best player in the world but also highlighted his importance to Guardiola and City.

Although he has returned to fitness and featured in 35 games for club and country this season, Rodri has spent additional time on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and now a groin issue.

Guardiola said Rodri's fitness will be assessed before making a decision on whether he can face Brentford on Saturday (kick-off 17:30 BST).

"We have survived without him for many, many months," he said. "He still doesn't feel completely comfortable. He will be ready when he is fit - we will see on Friday afternoon or on Saturday."

Everton result leaves City chasing

Rodri featured in the impressive Carabao Cup final win against Arsenal and Guardiola said in March that the 29-year-old was getting better "step by step".

He was then pivotal in the 2-1 victory against the Gunners that gave City the edge in the title race, but was forced off with a groin injury towards the end of that match in April.

He subsequently missed the narrow victories over Burnley in the Premier League and against Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final - but most significantly Monday's chaotic 3-3 draw at Everton.

City let slip their lead in that game and their advantage in the title race by conceding three goals in the space of 13 second-half minutes before rescuing a last-gasp draw through Jeremy Doku's stunning strike.

Their defence was sliced open continuously and the backline was given little protection by the midfield.

The raucous Hill Dickinson Stadium required calm heads and for someone to show composure and take the sting out of the game.

But despite the frenzied match on Merseyside that leaves City trailing league leaders Arsenal by five points with a game in hand, Guardiola does not feel Rodri's absence contributed to the result.