Manchester City shortlist two men to replace Rodri as Pep Guardiola speeds up plans | Football

Manchester City have reportedly identified two midfield targets ahead of the January transfer window as Pep Guardiola looks to replace Rodri in the engine room.

Reigning Premier League The champions are struggling without their influential Spaniard, who is expected to miss several months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

A run of six games without a win has reportedly forced City to speed up their transfer plans as they were initially expected to target a new midfielder at the end of the season.

Instead, they will push things forward by pursuing reinforcements at the winter market, according to Daily mail.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is said to be on their list of potential targets despite his recent injury. He is closing in on a return to action after undergoing groin surgery last month.

There is no guarantee Palace will be willing to sell Wharton mid-season, even if City are willing to overpay. However, it is said that at Selhurst Park there was a realization that he was destined for bigger and better things.

Meanwhile, the report adds that Real Sociedad playmaker Martin Zubimendi is another City target after he rejected a move to Liverpool in the summer.

It remains to be seen how the January window will pan out for City, with Guardiola suggesting on Friday that he would look to rebuild his squad following injuries that have devastated his players.

“The team is really good, but we don’t have it,” he said. “It’s not just Rodri, there are a lot of players here. After that I say we need to rebuild, yes. We have no players. We’re playing for six weeks without four central defenders and two defensive midfielders.”

“It’s not sustainable. It’s more difficult. All coaches protect their qualities. We work for the players we have. Step by step the players are coming back. I hope we can be together for a long time.”

Guardiola added: “For 10-12 games in a row, everyone is fit and in their prime, everything is going well, it’s easy. Now I need to prove myself.”

“Rodri is not an excuse. Do I cry all the time? Or have the central defenders not been on the field for the last month? I need to find a solution. Find a way. I try every day.”