Who Can Replace Rodri in Your FPL 2025-26 Team?

The Spanish defensive midfielder Rodri, who won the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, is once again on the frustrating injury list, as he will miss some upcoming Premier League matches for Manchester City. FPL managers will once again miss him in the early part of the new season.

Rodri injury: 2024/25 Season

Due to rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, which required surgery, Rodri missed most of the 2024/25 season, as he started only three PL games with two more PL appearances as a substitute. Rodri's injury was a massive blow for the FPL managers last season, as he was a consistent defensive midfielder who produced 159 FPL points in the 2023/24 season, after scoring 127 and 108 FPL points for the previous two seasons, respectively. While he won the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Rodri scored eight goals and 10 assists in the 2023/24 season to record his highest FPL points in a season.

The FPL 2025/26 season has introduced the defensive contributions, where the defensive midfielders and centre-backs can play major roles. Rodri is a favourite name to earn regular points from defensive contributions, where a midfielder or forward can earn a maximum of two FPL points from a game through his defensive contributions by recording 12 CBIRT (clearances, blocks, interceptions, ball recoveries, and tackles) in a match.

How Rodri's Injury Will Impact 2025/26 FPL Season?

It was expecting a fresh start for Rodri in the 2025/26 season, as his FPL value for a new season has been set at £6.5m. However, before the beginning of the new season, Man City has brought another hurtful news regarding the Spanish midfielder. During the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 clash against Al-Hilal, where Man City lost by 3-4, Rodri was substituted off due to a groin injury.

Recently, Man City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed Rodri’s injury by calling it a big issue. It is expected that he is unlikely to return to the game before the September international break.

So, the FPL managers need some good names as Rodri’s FPL replacement, at least till the confirmation of his return after completely recovering from the injury. Here are the top three suggestions as Rodri’s FPL replacement.

Top 3 Rodri FPL replacements

Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City): £5.5m

The Dutch central midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is the new signing for Manchester City. Last season, he served for the Italian Serie A giants AC Milan and recorded 15 goals and five assists after serving as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder, or defensive midfielder. Tijjani Reijnders is a true versatile player who can be used in various ways for his team. Apart from his direct impact on the goals, he can also bring defensive contribution points effectively. He may be a shocking name in this list, but the lesser valued player has the ability to bring smiles to the FPL managers during Rodri’s injury period.

Alex Iwobi (Fulham): £6.5m

Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi proved himself in the last three seasons. After scoring 126 FPL points for Everton in the 2022/23 season, the present Fulham midfielder scored 102 and 156 FPL points in the last two seasons. Apart from recording nine goals and six assists, he also recorded 227 defensive contributions (not FPL points) last season. Fulham will start their new PL season with the matches against Brighton & Hove Albion at home and the hosts Manchester United in the first two gameweeks. The FPL managers can put faith in him in the early season.

Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion): £6.5m

In the last three seasons, serving for Brighton, Japanese Kaoru Mitoma produced 138, 74, and 145 FPL points, respectively. In the 2023/24 season, when he scored 74 FPL points, he missed most of the second half of the FPL season due to a back injury.

Mitoma is a strong left winger and a left midfielder. Last season, he scored 10 goals and five assists and also recorded 168 defensive contributions (not FPL points), and all these stats can be even improved this season. He is a consistent performer on the field, and his presence brings major satisfaction to the FPL managers, especially when he can be selected under the budget.

Brighton will face Fulham at home and the hosts Everton in their first two games of the new Premier League season. Surely, these are the favourable fixtures to test the Japanese in the new season.

Other favourites

Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United): £6.5m

Newcastle United’s Brazilian central midfielder Bruno Guimarães is one of the favourite names for the FPL managers. He is a consistent name, as his previous three seasons' FPL scores were 107, 153, and 135 points, respectively. Last season, he also recorded 350 defensive contributions. As The Magpies will face the tough teams Aston Villa (away) and the defending champions Liverpool (home), in their first two matches of the new season, we haven’t put him in the top three names. However, after these fixtures, they will face Leeds United (away) and Wolves (home), and both games have two FDR each.

Enzo Fernández (Chelsea): £6.5m

Chelsea’s Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández is known for his versatility, as he can play as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, or attacking midfielder. In the last season, he scored 135 FPL points after recording six goals and eight assists. Moreover, he also recorded 261 defensive contributions last season. As Chelsea’s first four fixtures in the new season are against Crystal Palace (home), West Ham United (away), Fulham (home), and Brentford (away), the Argentine can also be a good option for the FPL managers.