SBOTOP : Former England Midfielder Issues Warning: Losing Rodri Could Hurt Man City’s Title Chase

Manchester City face a major challenge heading into the 2026/27 Premier League season after losing one of the most influential midfielders of the modern era.

Rodri has left City for Barcelona in a reported £65 million transfer, creating a significant hole in Pep Guardiola’s midfield. Former England midfielder Gareth Barry believes the departure could make City’s pursuit of Arsenal even more difficult.

The Gunners enter the new campaign as Premier League champions and have also strengthened their squad with the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United.

For Barry, the contrast is clear. Arsenal appear to be getting stronger, while City must rebuild a crucial part of their team.

Gareth Barry Highlights the Impact of Rodri’s Departure

Rodri’s importance to Manchester City has been difficult to overstate. The Spain international became central to Guardiola’s system because of his ability to control possession, protect the defence and dictate the tempo of matches.

Now, City must find a way to replace those qualities.

Barry believes Rodri’s departure represents a major setback for the club.

“With Rodri gone, their threat to challenge Arsenal is reduced,” Barry said via Tribal Football on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

The former England midfielder expects City to continue searching for midfield reinforcements, but he does not believe replacing Rodri will be straightforward.

The Spaniard’s influence extended far beyond basic defensive work. His positioning allowed City to control games while giving attacking players greater freedom.

Why Rodri’s absence matters:

1. He provided defensive protection in midfield.
2. His passing helped City control possession.
3. He was capable of controlling the tempo.
4. His positioning helped Guardiola’s tactical structure.
5. Replacing his overall influence will be extremely difficult.

City can sign another midfielder, but finding a player who immediately reproduces Rodri’s complete impact is a much bigger challenge.

Arsenal Send a Strong Message With Bruno Guimaraes

While Manchester City are dealing with the loss of Rodri, Arsenal have made one of the biggest midfield moves of the summer.

Mikel Arteta’s side signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, bringing in a player with Premier League experience and a reputation for controlling the midfield.

Barry considers the transfer a powerful statement.

“Guimaraes is a big signing. Getting the captain and one of the best players from a rival shows that players want to join Arsenal,” he said.

The transfer could have a psychological impact as well as a sporting one.

Arsenal are not simply defending their Premier League title. They are showing their rivals that they intend to remain at the top.

Guimaraes gives Arteta another high-quality option in midfield and could help Arsenal maintain their intensity across a long season.

Manchester City Begin Their Midfield Rebuild

City are already working on a major midfield transformation.

The club have reportedly signed Elliot Anderson for £116 million and remain linked with several other midfielders, including Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez.

Another name now attracting attention is AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone.

According to reports from Football Insider, citing the Daily Mail, Manchester City have an interest in the French midfielder.

Kone has also previously been linked with Manchester United, but City are now reportedly involved in the race for the 25-year-old.

His profile could make him an interesting candidate for Guardiola’s midfield rebuild.

Manu Kone’s Numbers Explain the Interest

Kone’s performances for AS Roma during the 2025/26 Serie A campaign suggest why Manchester City may be considering him.

The French midfielder averaged 5.67 duels won per 90 minutes, placing him in the 91st percentile.

He also recorded 4.65 recoveries per 90 minutes, ranking in the 63rd percentile. His successful dribbling numbers were even more impressive, with Kone sitting in the 85th percentile.

His ability to win fouls was another strength, with the midfielder ranking in the 84th percentile for fouls won.

Those numbers point towards a midfielder who can contribute physically while also carrying the ball forward.

Kone’s notable 2025/26 statistics:

• 5.67 duels won per 90 minutes
• 91st percentile for duels won
• 4.65 recoveries per 90 minutes
• 85th percentile for successful dribbles
• 84th percentile for fouls won

His performances also attracted attention during the 2026 World Cup.

Kone was considered one of the surprises in the France squad and reportedly emerged as one of Les Bleus’ standout midfielders during the tournament.

City Fans Have Concerns Over Kone

Despite the potential upside, the possibility of signing Kone has received a mixed reaction from Manchester City supporters.

The biggest concern appears to be his injury record.

Some fans believe City should prioritise a more complete midfielder with a stronger availability record. After dealing with Rodri’s own fitness problems in previous seasons, supporters do not want the club to repeat the same mistake.

For a team competing across the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups, availability is crucial.

A player can possess outstanding technical and physical qualities, but regular injuries can quickly reduce his value to the team.

That concern does not necessarily rule Kone out, but it does create an important question for City’s recruitment department.

Can Anyone Truly Replace Rodri?

The biggest issue for Manchester City is that replacing Rodri may not be about finding one player.

Guardiola could instead use several midfielders to collectively cover the responsibilities previously handled by the Spaniard.

That could involve adjusting the tactical structure, giving greater responsibility to existing players and adding multiple reinforcements.

City’s reported interest in Anderson, Bouaddi, Fernandez and Kone suggests that the club understand the scale of the rebuilding process.

However, Arsenal’s position makes the situation even more urgent.

Arsenal Have the Advantage, But the Race Is Far From Over

Gareth Barry’s assessment gives Arsenal an early advantage in the title conversation, but Manchester City remain one of the strongest teams in English football.

The loss of Rodri is undoubtedly significant, yet Guardiola has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to adapt.

City still have elite players, enormous financial resources and a manager with extensive experience at the highest level.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have momentum after winning the league and have strengthened their squad with Guimaraes.

The 2026/27 Premier League title race could therefore come down to how quickly City adapt to life without Rodri.

If Arsenal maintain their level and Guimaraes settles quickly, Arteta’s side could become even harder to catch.

For Manchester City, the mission is clear: find a new midfield solution before Rodri’s absence becomes the defining story of their season.

And if Manu Kone becomes that solution, the French midfielder could have an enormous role to play in City’s attempt to close the gap on Arsenal.