PEP'S HOT ROD IS BACK

Midfield maestro's return gives Guardiola a glimmer of hope as injuries bite

- BY SIMON BAJKOWSKI

RODRI'S value at Manchester City went up even further last season when the team fell apart without him.

Somehow, and inexplicably, it has gone up again after they recovered to learn how to challenge for the Premier League title without him.

It is unfair on Nico Gonzalez, who found his feet in September and has spearheaded City's charge in the Premier League and Champions League.

The Spaniard, asked to play a role that isn't his most natural, found his groove and became one of City's most important players.

As Pep Guardiola said, they could not have achieved what they have in recent months without him.

In Gonzalez's unfortunate absence through injury since halftime in the Sunderland game, Rodri has returned and been a revelation.