Manchester City have confirmed that Rodri underwent successful minor back surgery after experiencing discomfort.
The club described the next stage as a short period of rehabilitation, but Rodri had already been expected to miss the start of the season.
His absence matters because City's results have historically weakened without him.
Premier League analysis reports that City's win rate since Rodri joined falls from 71.4 percent with him to 60.0 percent without him. Their goals conceded per match increase from 0.84 to 1.07.
Neither should be selected simply because Rodri is absent. Managers need to know which player:
Starts consistently
Plays closest to the box
Completes 70 or more minutes
Receives set pieces
Avoids rotation around Champions League matches
Nico and other holding midfielders
Maresca may prefer a specialist holding player rather than asking an attacking midfielder to replace Rodri.
This can improve the defensive stability of the team without creating a strong FPL asset.
A low-cost holding midfielder is only useful when defensive contributions and secure minutes are strong enough to compensate for limited goals and assists.
Does the injury reduce City's defensive appeal?
Yes, slightly.
It does not make the defence unusable.
City still have elite defenders and a strong goalkeeper, but the combination of Rodri's absence, a new manager and defensive competition creates uncertainty.
Current defensive considerations
Player
FPL appeal
Main concern
Donnarumma
Secure route when first choice
Premium goalkeeper price
Marc Guehi
Strong previous FPL output
New team and tactical adaptation
Nico O'Reilly
Attacking and bonus potential
Position and rotation
Matheus Nunes
Defender classification with advanced possibilities
Exact role
Gvardiol
Goal threat and clean sheets
Competition and price
Ruben Dias
Leadership and central role
Lower attacking ceiling
Use OneFPL Compare to compare the defenders once pre-season minutes are available.
City without Rodri: winners and losers
Category
Player or group
Reason
Safest winner
Haaland
Role and penalties unchanged
Tactical opportunity
Anderson
Greater chance of central-midfield minutes
Potential attacking winner
Foden
Could receive more creative responsibility
Set-piece watch
Reijnders and Cherki
More responsibility may become available
Defensive loser
City defenders
Historical clean-sheet environment weakens without Rodri
Rotation loser
Central midfielders
Several players can fill the role
Avoid
Rodri
Rehabilitation and uncertain return
What to watch before Gameweek 1
Who starts as the deepest midfielder
Whether Foden plays centrally
Whether Anderson starts with the first team
Which defenders play together
Rodri's return to team training
Maresca's comments on the rehabilitation period
The Community Shield lineup
OneFPL verdict
Haaland remains the best City pick.
Rodri's injury slightly reduces confidence in a defensive double-up and creates opportunities in midfield, but no replacement is yet secure enough to become a clear FPL selection.
OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
OneFPL analysis. OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
Managers have four first-half chips that expire after the Gameweek 19 deadline. Plan the Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost.
