Few players improve a team so obviously as the Spanish midfielder — losing him could be one fine margin too far for Manchester City

Manchester City may have entered the season as the favorites to win a fifth successive Premier League title, but the calculus on their chances to extend their winning streak shifts considerably now that Rodri is expected to miss much of the campaign with an knee injury.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is sweating on the next medical bulletin for midfielder Rodri as speculation mounts that the Spaniard faces a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury.