Man City Scouts Choose Pepelu to Replace Rodri in January

Man City scouts have highlighted Pepelu as the ideal replacement for Rodri. Guardiola’s team seeks reinforcements ahead of the winter transfer window.

Man City is considering signing Valencia midfielder Pepelu as the top candidate to replace Rodri in January, according to insiders. Guardiola's team started the Premier League season strong with seven wins in their first nine games, only to face a streak of four losses, recently broken by a 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest.

Currently sitting fourth in the Premier League standings, Man City trails Chelsea and Arsenal by two points and is nine points behind leaders Liverpool. Spanish midfielder Rodri, who was awarded the Ballon d’Or at the end of October, suffered a severe knee injury against Arsenal, sidelining him for the season with a torn ACL.

With the January transfer window approaching, rumors circulate about potential acquisitions. Last month, a £100m offer for Paris Saint-Germain's Warren Zaire-Emery was reported, along with interest in Inter Milan's Hakan Calhanoglu and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi.

Data analysis and match reviews have convinced Man City scouts of Pepelu’s potential. The coaching staff sees him as a smart and economical choice to aid the team in regaining their winning form. He is viewed as a temporary substitute for Rodri and a solid backup for the future.

Former Man City player Martin Petrov explains the team’s recent struggles by the absence of key players. He notes the psychological challenges and lack of form in Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Erling Haaland, impacting their performance.

Petrov emphasizes Rodri’s irreplaceability as the current Ballon d’Or winner, noting his influence, calmness, and leadership on the field. It’s highlighted that the pressure to fill Rodri’s role creates stress for substitutes, leading to mistakes, yet the playing style under Guardiola remains consistent.