Rodri's recent travel on a Ryanair flight to Liverpool has sparked speculation about his future at Manchester City. Amid interest from Barcelona, the star's return to Manchester remains uncertain, especially following minor back surgery that will keep him out of the Community Shield against Arsenal.

With Barcelona poised to make a third bid for Rodri, new manager Enzo Maresca may need to reconstruct City’s midfield. Rodri has one year left on his contract, and alongside the departure of Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah for £51m, a significant transition is underway.

Key details include:

• Elliot Anderson, City's record signing at £116m, is seen as a future star but cannot fill Silva’s irreplaceable role.
• Maresca acknowledges the challenge of replacing Silva's impact both on and off the ball.
• Mateo Kovacic and Nico Gonzalez have expressed intentions to stay, yet their futures could shift with new signings.

If Rodri departs, City might pursue Enzo Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi, potentially costing around £300m but offset by player sales. Maresca emphasizes the urgency to solidify the squad, stating, "In the moment the transfer window closes, we need to find solutions for our players and the team."

As Rodri's intentions seem clear, Maresca's task of creating a cohesive midfield remains complex and uncertain.