Man City warned losing 'boss' Rodri to serious knee ligament injury is a 'huge blow' to their title hopes as Alan Shearer explains why midfielder faces 'horrible' road to recovery

Rodri went down in agony clutching his knee early on against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday and it has now been revealed that the Spanish midfielder has suffered ligament damage that will keep him out for an extended period. Shearer believes Manchester City's loss could have a serious impact on the title race and admitted it is a long and agonising road back from such a serious injury.

Speaking on behalf of Betfair, Shearer said: "There's no doubt that a potential season-ending injury to Rodri will have an impact on Man City’s title hopes. It's one thing knowing you're not having him for two or three games, like they had at the beginning of the season, but it's another thing knowing that he's probably not going to come back this season. That's a big blow and I don't care who you are and what resources you've got, and Man City have a lot, when you lose a player of that calibre and quality, for that amount of time, there's no doubt it'll hurt them.

"I've been there myself in terms of an ACL injury and I was out for six or seven months so I know exactly how Rodri will feel and how the football club will feel. It's a long road back. Whether it's five months, six months, seven months or whatever it may be, it's a long road back. You've got the operation, if Rodri is going to have that, then you're in a rest period and then you're in rehab period. It's a long road back and you have to be really strong mentally to get over it."

City have won the Premier League four times in a row and are looking to make it five under Pep Guardiola. But without their star midfielder - someone who has been tipped to challenge for the Ballon d'Or this year - it could have a serious mental and physical impact as they manage a hectic schedule in 2024-25.

It has not yet been confirmed that Rodri will be out for the entire season, but it is rare for players to quickly recover from serious knee injuries. He will have to watch from the sidelines as City challenge on all fronts without him for the next few months at least.