Manchester City draw up three-man shortlist to replace Rodri, including a “young Xabi Alonso”

Manchester City's Rodri. (Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

Manchester City look like their old selves again.

After a shaky 2024/25 campaign, Pep Guardiola’s side have rediscovered their rhythm — thrashing reigning champions Liverpool 3-0 on Sunday in a dominant display from start to finish.

Erling Haaland bagged his 14th goal of the season before Nico González and Jérémy Doku sealed a comprehensive victory that put City second in the Premier League table and firmly back in the title race.

But while City’s present looks as strong as ever, there remains one lingering concern for the future — the situation surrounding Rodri.

According to a new report from SportsBoom, Manchester City have identified three potential replacements for Rodri amid uncertainty over his long-term future at the Etihad.

Talks over a new contract for the 29-year-old are ongoing, but no agreement has been reached. The Spaniard, who is under contract until 2027, has also struggled with recent injury issues, prompting the club to begin exploring alternatives in case he decides not to commit to new terms.

The report claims that City are “closely monitoring” FC Köln’s Said El Mala, one of the Bundesliga’s brightest midfield prospects, while Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand and Bayern Munich’s Aleksandar Pavlović are also on the club’s radar.

Pavlović, in particular, has been described by Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer as a “young Xabi Alonso” for his composure, vision, and passing range — qualities that would fit seamlessly into Guardiola’s system.

Any potential move for Rodri’s successor would likely happen no earlier than the summer of 2026, with Guardiola said to prefer a gradual transition rather than a major mid-season shake-up.

Replacing Rodri, a Ballon d’Or finalist and arguably the most complete holding midfielder in world football, would be no easy task. For City, finding someone capable of stepping into his shoes could define their next era of dominance.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.