No, not that one. Or not just that one, anyway. Rodri was the most conspicuous absentee at St James’ Park on Saturday as, barring an injury to Erling Haaland, he will be for the rest of the campaign. But Phil Foden started on the bench. His bit-part role has been camouflaged by the sudden realisation that Rodri will have no part to play in the next nine months, but it is less than six weeks since Foden was anointed PFA Player of the Year.
It is an understatement to say his candidature for a second successive award has had a slow start. City have played six league games this season. Foden has begun none. Euro 2024 was why he was an opening-day replacement against Chelsea. He missed two matches through illness, spent the next as an unused substitute and came on in the last two. Perhaps it is a fact that points to potential improvement for City: Foden, scorer of 27 goals last time around, could provide an injection of excellence for a Rodri-less side.
If, that is, Pep Guardiola is willing to unleash him. He seems in no great rush to do so. He sounded vague in his reasoning. “Phil is playing but Phil doesn't need time when he's clever and fine,” he said. “It's not a problem. I know how important he is. It doesn’t matter to start or come from the bench.” Recently, Foden has been a deluxe impact substitute, showing the ability to sniff an opening that has produced late shots against Internazionale, Arsenal and Newcastle. City drew all three games, though.
Esta historia es de la edición October 01, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 01, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Hometown glory awaits for Liverpool's next big fighter
In a year when truly giant fights have dominated the boxing landscape, Nick Ball has been in two of the very best and is a genuine world champion.
Captain sinks to new low leaving Ten Hag all at sea
The defence calls the Tottenham No 10. “Even [James] Maddison when he gets up, he said it was a foul but never a red card,” insisted Bruno Fernandes.
Guardiola's troubles stretch beyond absence of Rodri
Manchester City began without one of the outstanding individuals of last season.
Arteta returns to the French club that ‘ignited' his career
It was an approach that Mikel Arteta almost immediately dismissed, although there was a moment’s consideration due to a previous connection.
AHEAD OF THE GAME
The uncompromising banking drama Industry’ is raising the stakes. It’s smart, seedy, and offers a breath of fresh air in a television anseap full of superheroes, writes Nick Hilton
LET'S GET PHYSICAL
Jilly Cooper said she thinks running has taken the place of more intimate activities. Helen Coffey asks if she’s right and whether exercise is really to blame for our loss of libido
'I think that human lives have become a lot cheaper'
In his new book Resolution’, Irvine Welsh proves his writing has lost none of its bite. He speaks to Chris Harvey about how identity politics has played into the hands of the wealthy
Third British judge leaves role in Hong Kong court
A third British judge has left a top Hong Kong Court amid growing calls for them to step down over a China-imposed crackdown on dissent.
Putin is trying to ‘erase' Ukraine, tennis star warns
Russian president Vladimir Putin is waging war to try and wipe Ukraine off the map, the country’s top tennis player has warned.
Rat infestation threatening priceless museum artefacts
A rat infestation is threatening one of India’s finest collections of royal artefacts at the country’s own Albert Hall – now a museum in the Rajasthani city of Jaipur.
