Zubimendi? Ederson? Ricci? Who might Man City target to replace Rodri?

Martin Zubimendi (left), Ederson (centre) and Samuele Ricci (right) have all been linked with Manchester City

On the back of four successive defeats in all competitions, the chances of Manchester City signing a replacement for injured midfielder Rodri have increased once again.

The Ballon d'Or winner is set to miss the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Arsenal in September.

Mateo Kovacic has filled in but he has struggled at times, leaving Pep Guardiola's side vulnerable to the counter-attack.

BBC Sport has looked at who has been linked with the Blues in January to replace Rodri for this season - and complement him in the future - as well as how those players compare this season.

Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)

The 25-year-old Spain midfielder has been repeatedly linked with Manchester City since Rodri's injury.

Liverpool were interested in the summer but he opted to stay at Real Sociedad.

He reportedly has a £51.7m release clause but that is unlikely to hinder City from making an approach for a man who tends to play as a defensive midfielder, but can also feature a bit further forward.

He has played with Rodri for Spain and was impressive when replacing the City man at half-time in the Euro 2024 final victory over England.

Sociedad regularly play in Europe, but Zubimendi has only experienced one season of Champions League football.

Ederson (Atalanta)

The 25-year-old Brazilian is another who has been linked with the Blues.

He's a mainstay of the Atalanta team, but this season is his first taste of Champions League football and that may be a concern.

He tends to play a central midfield role, but has played both deeper and further forward.

The fee he would command would be one of the highest among the possible options but at his age he'd be an investment a longer period too.

Samuele Ricci (Torino)

The 23-year-old Italian was one of the first names linked with City after Rodri's injury.

There were reports that the Blues sent scouts to watch Torino's game against Inter Milan to cast their eye over Ricci.

He is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or slightly further forward and has become a regular in Italy's team since Euro 2024.

His career is on an upward trajectory but he has never played in any European club competitions, and that could count against him.

Ricci has admitted to watching videos of Rodri to improve his game. Will he be lining up alongside him?

Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)

The 30-year-old Turkey midfielder has been mentioned in the past couple of weeks.

He's more experienced than a lot of players reportedly being considered, and reports say Inter Milan "could be open" to selling him.

He has vast experience in the Champions League and would offer versatility, with defensive midfield his main role, but he has the ability to push forward too.

Bayern Munich, who are managed by former City captain Vincent Kompany, are also reportedly interested.

Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan)

The 26-year-old Netherlands midfielder has been mentioned as a target in recent weeks.

Reports suggest City have "tested the waters" over a move, with others saying Milan are planning to double his wages to ward off the attention.

Reijinders tends to play a bit further forward in central midfield, which may complement Rodri when he returns.

He's had experience in the Champions League in the past two seasons too.

Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

The 20-year-old England midfielder was linked with the majority of top Premier League sides after his impressive start at Crystal Palace, who he joined in January.

That earned him a call-up to Gareth Southgate's squad for Euro 2024 and another move seemed only a matter of time.

Wharton has struggled for form this season and is currently out injured after surgery for a groin issue.

That means a move in January is unlikely, but City and other clubs at the top end of the Premier League will be keeping an eye on him, especially with him able to add balance to any midfield being left-footed.

Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)

The 27-year-old Netherlands midfielder has often been linked with a move to the Premier League, including City, before opting to go to Barcelona.

His name hasn't been mentioned as a potential go-to now though, as he is currently struggling for form and fitness.

He would potentially be a good foil for Rodri though, with De Jong able to play a bit further forward.

He would also come with vast amounts of experience in both domestic and European football.

Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)

A rogue shout, but the 29-year-old Germany midfielder isn't in favour at Bayern Munich and may want a move.

He probably isn't a like-for-like replacement for Rodri but could be a good foil in a partnership.

Goretzka has a large amount of experience, especially in the Champions League, and could add another element to City's midfield.

It does feel unlikely though.

Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)

Perhaps the dream signing for City, but it surely won't happen in January.

It's been reported before that Guardiola "would love to sign" Barella but it has not been possible, with the 27-year-old pivotal to Inter's success in Italy and Europe in recent seasons.

He would offer City versatility in midfield and feels like a player that would complement Rodri well.

It may be one for further down the line though.

How do those players compare? Their 2024-25 seasons so far

It's hard to find a real standout among the options available. It is even more difficult if you start to compare any potential purchase to Rodri, who is the best in the world.

Zubimendi has defensive qualities that will stand out to City - his tackles (2.6), interceptions (1.1) and clearances (2.2) per 90 minutes are the best among the players highlighted in this piece.

His passing accuracy is pretty solid at 86.9%, but his number of attempted passes is among the lowest. However, you have to take into account the team he's playing for. Sociedad are a good team, but sit eighth in La Liga - he'd see even more of the ball at City.

It also depends what type of midfielder City target and what role they expect them to play when Rodri returns.

Rodri himself is versatile and has developed his game to add more dribbling and drives forward - it's not out of the question he'd move into a centre-midfield role upon his return.

That may mean City want a defensively sound option, such as Zubimendi or Wharton.

If Rodri stays in the six role - defensive midfielder - then City may opt for a ball-playing midfielder and that means Reijnders and Calhanoglu (he has the highest passes into the final third among the contenders) come to the fore with their impressive passing accuracy.

There's also the unknown. Torino, who Ricci plays for, are currently 11th in Serie A. He'd be alongside better players and have more of the ball at City. Is there untapped potential for City to unlock?

What makes Rodri the best in the world?

Rodri will always be a fan favourite at City after scoring the goal that secured their first Champions League trophy and becoming their maiden Ballon d'Or winner.

However, when he joined the club, there were doubts about his long-term suitability to replace Fernandinho. It took time for those fears to be allayed.

The 28-year-old has developed his game over the years and continually made strides to improve.

He was superb as the club won the Treble in 2022-23, but improved in almost all facets of the game last season.

His goalscoring rose from four to nine in all competitions, while he made and completed more passes. He won more duels and completed more tackles.

And comparing Rodri's stats from last season to the stats from this season of the potential arrivals listed above, shows the scale of the task facing any new signing.

Rodri would be top of both attempted and successful passes, as well as duels won.

He'd be third for passing accuracy and tackles won. He'd be down in sixth for interceptions, but City often dominate possession.

Who should Man City sign to replace Rodri?