Manchester City have won their second trophy of the season this weekend after securing the FA Cup in a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.
Pep Guardiola will be overjoyed that his squad have completed a domestic double, with the Carabao Cup and FA Cup already confirmed, but their work is not done yet.
There is still an opportunity for City to snatch the Premier League title from their rivals Arsenal in the remaining two games of the season, but they will need a favour from the Gunners’ opponents to get it over the line.
With the transfer window rapidly approaching, there is a lot to be considered at the club, with reports suggesting that Pep Guardiola’s future is not guaranteed, alongside confirmation of Bernardo Silva and John Stones’ exits.
The Cityzens will want to build on what they have achieved this season, with or without the Premier League title, to become a real threat in the Champions League once again.
One player who has been consistently linked with a move away from the club is midfielder Rodri. Several reports have suggested that there is no clear indication he will remain at City, with just one year left on his current contract.
According to Football Insider, Jose Mourinho wants to make Rodri his first signing if he becomes Real Madrid manager this summer.
The publication claims that the Benfica boss is nearing a return to Los Blancos and wants the Ballon d’Or winner to be part of his squad.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, Pete O’Rourke revealed:
“If Jose Mourinho wants Rodri for his new-look Real Madrid, I’m sure he will ask the president, Florentino Perez, to do everything he possibly can to try and sign Rodri.
“It’s obviously not going to be easy because Manchester City do not want to lose such a key player as Rodri.”
Will Man City sell Rodri?
The January transfer window was a huge success for City when they signed Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, with the pair proving instrumental in both domestic cup runs.
There is definitely a feeling that the club will prioritise future-proofing their squad this summer, especially with two of their most influential and experienced players moving on.
Despite the need to build the next generation of success at the Etihad, they must get the balance right to ensure they retain that winning culture and mentality within the squad.
If City are serious about competing for the Champions League trophy once again, it would be incredibly foolish to give their European rivals the opportunity to strengthen their midfield through the sale of Rodri.
Having said that, with just 12 months left on his contract, the club do have a major decision to make over whether they should sanction Rodri’s sale to fund investment into the squad or risk losing him for free next summer.
Guardiola spoke yesterday of Rodri’s importance in the squad, following his return from injury in the FA Cup final:
“In the last few games we have conceded a lot of transitions but it didn’t happen this time. Everyone knows how important Rodri is. He is one of the best players in the world. When they’re not in a team, they’re missed.”
“We’re happy he played a good 60 minutes and hopefully he can help us again a lot like has happened ever since he arrived.”
Manchester City are approaching a defining summer both on and off the pitch, and Rodri’s future could become one of the biggest decisions the club make.
Replacing a player of his quality, leadership and influence would be an enormous challenge, especially for a team desperate to reclaim their place among Europe’s elite.
Whether City cash in or take the gamble on keeping him, the outcome could shape the next era of the club’s project.
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