Man City know that Nico Gonzalez change needs to happen before too long

Nico Gonzalez continues to try to give Manchester City what they need, but his strengths should also be played to

As soon as Rodri felt something in his hamstring, he decided he had to come off. The Manchester City midfielder did not - and does not - think it is a serious issue, yet knew his best chance of that becoming a reality was to get off the pitch as soon as possible.

Which was the best course of action for him, but spare a thought for Nico Gonzalez. Rodri's replacement almost fell over himself getting his kit on in time for his number to be put up on the electronic board, never mind given the luxury of a warm-up before being thrust straight into action.

He could laugh about it after the 1-0 win at Brentford, but he still said it was hard. As you would imagine replacing Rodri is, in those and any conditions.

Gonzalez certainly seems to be having a hard time of it at late. Guardiola spikily pointed out how many more recoveries the player managed in 30 minutes and how many fewer transitions the team conceded with him against Monaco than with Rodri in 60, yet the late - and very soft - penalty he conceded made the headlines and led to some harsh truths from Erling Haaland.

A week earlier, at League One side Huddersfield in the League Cup, Gonzalez was the subject of several lengthy on-pitch discussions with Guardiola which add to the feeling that he needs to learn. He does of course, but in case it isn't hard enough copying Rodri this isn't even what Gonzalez excels at most.

Covering the No.6 position was always seen as a temporary cover, yet Rodri has still had injury issues, Ilkay Gundogan was moved to Galatasaray and Mateo Kovacic has not managed a minute after Achilles surgery. Gonzalez would look more natural giving some needed competition for Tijjani Reijnders, yet circumstances are against him.

Somebody as experienced and successful as Gundogan still winced whenever he was asked to play No.6 last season, so Gonzalez needs sympathy in the role as well. It is also often forgotten how long Rodri took to replace Fernandinho - there was no real outrage that the Spaniard was left out of the Champions League final at the end of his third season at the Etihad.

Gonzalez is saying and doing the right things, and Guardiola continues to have his back publicly even if he looks like he wants to kick every ball with him on the pitch when he plays.

The jury remains out on the £50m January signing, but the hope is for him that he gets a fair crack in his best position having sacrificed that to give City what they have needed for the last nine months.

Time for a warm-up before coming on would be a good start.

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