Rodrigo Hernández is feeling like a top-level footballer once again. His performances have put him back in the spotlight, bringing with them a wave of speculation. The Spanish midfielder has started four Premier League matches so far this season, gradually regaining his fitness and leaving behind the discomfort that plagued him in recent months.
Luis de la Fuente dreams of the day when he sees Rodri become the linchpin of Manchester City’s play, a sentiment the Spanish national team coach has publicly expressed. The World Cup and the national team await him, just as they do Dani Carvajal. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is delighted to witness how much and how well Rodri contributes when fully fit.
Rodri has a year and a half left on his contract with the English club, and the countdown has already begun. Speculation about his future has circulated for some time, even during his injury, and it is now intensifying with the return of the player who once shone as one of the finest midfielders of his generation. Manchester City have presented him with a substantial renewal offer, but he prefers to wait, as the club itself must first clarify uncertainties about its immediate future—starting with Guardiola’s own position.
This season marks eight years since the former Atlético Madrid and Villarreal player arrived at the Etihad. He has embraced the City shirt and Guardiola’s style of play as few others have. The thought of a change, of seeking new challenges, has crossed his mind more than once. It is a dilemma every great player faces at some point, especially when far from home. The idea is always present in his daily life, but so too is the awareness of what he is and represents for City.
The club has undergone a period of transition in recent months, and a second wave of changes is expected soon, including the potential departure of Guardiola, which seems increasingly likely and would transform everything. A benchmark in every sense, the manager has built a team in his own unique image, a process that inevitably impacts everyone involved.
Rodri now faces a difficult choice: seek a new club next summer, with a year still remaining on his contract, or continue his career at City. It is a decision between financial security and stability, or less money with a fresh challenge.
While the rumours continue, Real Madrid are reportedly seeking a focal point in midfield, though no move has been made yet in this ongoing chess game. Rodri will need to resolve his future with some urgency, now that his return to form is a reality—a relief for Luis de la Fuente and a boost for Spain’s hopes.