Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterManchester City begin their season in the Community Shield this weekend with uncertainty about what their midfield is going to look like for the 2026-27 campaign.City have recruited Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest this summer but look highly likely to lose linchpin Rodri.The Spaniard is wanted by Barcelona, who have made bids for the 30-year-old after he was previously being linked with Real Madrid.Latest Videos FromFourFourTwoWatch full video here: Decisions to makeRodri only has one year left on his contract but Barcelonas initial offer was reported to be less than �40m understandably turned down, for a man who won the Ballon dOr in 2024 and was crucial in Spain winning the World Cup this summer.Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott knows that his departure would be a big blow to the club, but thinks his World Cup performances should be reflected in the fee. You may like Manchester City have already found their Rodri replacement as �60m transfer beckons Rodri's Real Madrid move makes front-page news in Spain, with Manchester City exodus approaching Manchester City have failed to win the title in back-to-back seasons, can Enzo Maresca succeed where Pep Guardiola was starting to falter? Manchester City 2026-27 season preview The length of contract plays a huge part if hes got three years left, I doubt hes available, and hes definitely not �35m, Lescott told FFT.But he definitely didnt do the club any harm in the fee he warrants, after his World Cup performances.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Hed be a huge loss for City if decided to leave hes a top quality player, probably the best at his role.Manchester City have been strongly linked with Moroccos World Cup star Ayyoub Bouaddi and Chelseas Enzo Fernandez as possible replacements for Rodri, with Lescott suspecting the latter may be the better fit to step directly into the Spaniard's shoes right now.I havent seen a lot of Bouaddi but Enzo can obviously perform in the Premier League, so that would make more sense to me, says the pundit for TNT Sports, who will be screening live coverage of Sundays Community Shield. What to read next Real Madrid transfer HIJACKED as Manchester City breathe sigh of relief: report Manchester City linked with THIRD Chelsea first-teamer as Enzo Maresca eyes attacking reunion: report Manchester City could make THREE 100m+ signings this summer I dont think theres a bad option or a bad decision, because they're both top quality players, but if you were to pick one of them, youd probably say Enzo due to the fact that theres no culture change hes already experienced and thats a big factor."Arsenal are the favourites"As well as the likely loss of Rodri, Manchester City also go into the season without Pep Guardiola.Arsenal are their opponents in the Community Shield being played at Cardiffs Millennium Stadium, because Wembley has been booked up by The Weeknd and Lescott thinks the Gunners start the campaign as favourites to win the Premier League again.It's going to be difficult for City, with the fact that Peps not there, he says. And just generally if Pep was there, I would still have said Arsenal were the favourites due to them being champions.And I think theyre favourites even more so now with all the factors that might be difficult for City new manager, new players.Arsenal are the team that are most used to things their managers been in charge for seven years, their players and their squad has been the same, they got to the final of the Champions League last year and won the league.All the things that are potential obstacles, theyve experienced before, so I would say Arsenal are the favourites.With the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Emirates FA Cup and Womens FA Cup ALL in one place. Theres levels to this. TNT Sports.TOPICSEnzo FernandezJoleon LescottRodriManchester CityPremier LeagueCommunity ShieldChris FlanaganSocial Links NavigationSenior Staff WriterChris joined FourFourTwo in 2015 and has reported from more than 20 countries, in places as varied as Ivory Coast and the Arctic Circle. He's interviewed Pele, Zlatan and Santa Claus (it's a long story), as well as covering the World Cup, AFCON and the Clasico. He previously spent 10 years as a newspaper journalist, and completed the 92 in 2017.
