Nico cannot replace Rodri but could only try to fill the void.
City Chief
Pep Guardiola believes new signing Nico Gonzalez will help Manchester City cope with the absence of Rodri, who has been sidelined since rupturing his ACL in September.
Despite Rodri being ruled out for the season, he was included in City’s Champions League squad.
Guardiola, familiar with Gonzalez from his Barcelona academy days, praised the club’s effort to secure the 23-year-old from Porto for €60 million.
City face third-tier Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, with Guardiola wary of the challenges posed by lower-league opponents.
On a separate note, Guardiola also voiced support for City Women’s striker Khadija Shaw after she faced racist abuse, calling for a united stand against discrimination.