Manchester City were without two key midfielders at training on Thursday as they prepare to face Arsenal in the Community Shield this weekend, with Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders both missing from the session for very different reasons.
Rodri's absence had been expected for some time. The Spanish international was given an extended rest period following his role in helping Spain win the World Cup over the summer, and he also underwent a minor surgical procedure after the tournament that was always likely to push back his return to full training. Manager Enzo Maresca had already flagged this timeline last week, stating that the 30-year-old was scheduled to rejoin his teammates on August 14.
"Yes, at the moment he will be in Manchester," Maresca said following City's pre-season friendly victory over Atletico Madrid. "There is no update. On August 14 he will be back."
Despite that clear explanation, Rodri's continued absence fuelled speculation given his ongoing links to Barcelona. The LaLiga champions have already seen a second offer for the midfielder turned down by City, and any gap in his training schedule was always likely to be scrutinised amid transfer rumours. However, the timing appears to align with the recovery plan outlined by Maresca rather than signalling an imminent departure.
Reijnders' absence told a different story. The Dutch midfielder skipped City's open training session as talks progressed with Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah over a potential transfer. Reports have since indicated that Reijnders has agreed to make the move, in what would be a swift departure having only joined City from AC Milan last summer.
The deal is reportedly worth around £52.1 million, representing a significant fee for a player who has spent just one season at the Etihad Stadium. Nottingham Forest had been among the clubs interested in securing Reijnders' signature, but it is Al Qadsiah who appear to have won the race for his services.
The financial windfall from Reijnders' sale could prove significant for City's summer transfer plans. There is speculation that funds generated from the deal may be used to help finance a move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, a player City have been linked with as they look to strengthen their squad depth in midfield positions.
The timing of both situations - Rodri's expected return and Reijnders' departure - means City's midfield options for the Community Shield against Arsenal will look notably different from what many might have anticipated at the start of pre-season. With Rodri not due back until Friday, he remains unavailable for selection against Arsenal, while Reijnders' impending move to Saudi Arabia removes another option from Maresca's plans, at least for this fixture.
City will need to navigate the traditional season-opener without two midfielders who had been expected to play prominent roles, though the club's transfer business this summer suggests further squad changes could follow before the Premier League campaign gets fully underway. The Community Shield clash against Arsenal will provide an early opportunity to assess how the squad copes with these adjustments as the new season approaches.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.