With Manchester City missing Rodri for the first time since his serious knee injury, this victory over Watford, the Championship’s eighth-placed side, offers scant clue regarding how they may cope in the long term.
For that, Saturday’s trip to Newcastle should bring more insight into Pep Guardiola’s plan, and which senior player the manager trusts to deputise for the 28-year-old in the centre of midfield.
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