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MCFC Daily: Rodri and Zubimendi
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland manager Thomas Tuchel said Manchester City defender John Stones is a doubt for Friday's friendly against Uruguay because of a calf problem.
Stones has made just 15 appearances in an injury-plagued campaign.
The 31-year-old, whose club contract expires in June, has 87 caps for England and is highly-valued by Tuchel.
"Another world-class player," the England boss said. "He is so good with his experience and his game understanding, but he is a bit worried.
"He has a slight concern in his calf, he feels his calf, he is not 100% free and I am not sure if he can play.
"It is a pity he can not fully rely at the moment on his body. He is very sensitive about it, but for me he is a super important person within the team and game understanding, in the tactical experience and the approach to adjust to different shapes of the opponent. Full of quality.
"He has been an important player for Manchester City in a winning environment and a winning club. On an everyday basis you have to live up to the highest expectations. This is so important.
"We have other top central defenders, but he can still play a part, with his energy and with his quality, but first of all I want him to be in camp as a player.
"Let's see how this camp continues and how it plays out."
England's friendly at Wembley against Uruguay, who are ranked 15th in the world, kicks off at 19:45 GMT.
Marcus Alves
BBC Sport
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City were all over Arsenal early in the second half of Sunday's Carabao Cup final when Rodri spread his arms calling for the ball on the edge of the area.
Rayan Cherki instantly spotted him and picked him out. Rodri controlled it and fired it right away.
The low shot looked destined for the bottom-right corner of Kepa's goal, but Martin Zubimendi got in the way and blocked his fellow Spaniard's effort.
Ultimately, Rodri came out on top as City won 2-0 at Wembley to lift the trophy.
But the battle of the two midfielders is far from over. It resumed on Monday when both of them reported to the Spanish national team camp in Madrid before the friendlies against Serbia and Egypt.
Not only are they still fighting for the Premier League title, but also for a starting place with the European champions.
That's one of the main debates in Spain before this summer's World Cup.
Can Rodri and Zubimendi play together?
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has had to address this question so often during the past few months that he has now reached a point where he is simply anticipating it in interviews.
"After all the setbacks he went through, Rodrigo is back at a high level. I've said before that he is the best in the world, but also on those same occasions that we are very fortunate," De La Fuente told TVE.
"After all, in that position, the number six role, we have the two best players in the world: Rodrigo and Martin [Zubimendi].
"So I will get ahead of a question you are probably going to ask: can they play together? Of course they can play together."
The 64-year-old boss has yet to truly put that into practice, however.
He has done it once, but that was quite circumstantial. It took place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals against France, when Zubimendi came off the bench in the 93rd minute.
For most of their time at Las Rozas headquarters in Madrid, it has been either one or the other.
Rodri had long been undroppable and even had a say within the dressing room in how the team played, but his most recent start was in September 2024 against Switzerland.
In his absence, Zubimendi has made such an impact that what once felt unquestionable no longer does: there is life without the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner.
The first clues to what comes next could arrive on Friday when Spain face Serbia in Villarreal.
Barcelona and Spain left-back Alejandro Balde, 22, is attracting interest from Manchester City, Aston Villa and Manchester United. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external
Manchester City and Arsenal are both hopeful of signing Hearts' 17-year-old defender Archie Osborne at the end of this season. (Caught Offside), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City's Premier League home game against Crystal Palace, scheduled for last weekend, was postponed because of City's participation in the Carabao Cup final and the fixture is yet to be rearranged.
City beat Arsenal 2-0 to lift the trophy at Wembley on Sunday and have a game in hand on the Gunners, who would have faced Wolves last weekend - but that game had already been brought forward and played on 18 February.
So, when could Pep Guardiola's side face Palace?
Matters are complicated by European competitions - though City have been knocked out of the Champions League, Palace are still in the Conference League and face Fiorentina in their quarter-final on 9 and 16 April.
Ultimately, there are three possible options for when the game can be played - the midweeks of 22 April, 13 May and 20 May.
This takes into account Palace potentially reaching the last four of the Conference League, which blocks out four dates for the Eagles.
The date in April is most likely for a few reasons, though it may depend on the result of the FA Cup quarter-final between City and Liverpool.
If Liverpool win the tie, Palace's game against the Reds on 25 April will have to be moved as it clashes with the FA Cup semi-finals.
That would leave Palace with two games to slot into three positions and the Premier League is more likely to get the City match played at the first available opportunity.
If City win the cup tie, they could potentially have three games to move - Burnley and Bournemouth away are also on FA Cup round dates.
But City are not restricted by the European calendar.
However, there remains a greater likelihood that the Premier League would try to avoid a European clash.
It mean those two games would probably be played on those midweeks of 13 and 20 May.
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City midfielder Rodri has refused to rule out a possible move to Real Madrid in the future.
Rodri told Spanish radio station Onda Cero he would like to play in his native Spain again at some stage in his career.
The former Ballon d'Or winner played for Atletico Madrid before signing for City in 2019 and insisted that the Madrid rivalry would not prevent him signing for Real should the opportunity ever present itself.
The 29-year-old said: "There are more players who have taken that path. Not directly, but over time. You can't turn down the best clubs in the world."
Rodri is contracted to City until 2027 and although negotiations over a new deal are yet to take place, he expects there to be discussions soon, adding: "I have one year remaining on my contract. There will be a point when we will have to sit down and talk and have a dialogue."
Freddie Pye
Fan writer
Image source, PA MediaPep Guardiola said after defeat by Real Madrid in both legs of the Champions League last-16 tie that Manchester City had a bright future with the players at the club's disposal.
For supporters, it felt like a difficult concept to grasp given the nature of the 5-1 aggregate loss.
But having now claimed the first major trophy since the big-money rebuild overseen by Hugo Viana, as well as the controlled and authoritative nature of the performance at Wembley against arguably Europe's best team at present, it feels as though there has suddenly been a real turning point in the development of this new Manchester City squad.
In 2018, the League Cup was the catalyst for Guardiola and City to achieve unprecedented success across various competitions, and the latest Wembley win has a similar smell to it. Are we on the verge of seeing another sky blue force conquer English football and the European game sooner than we perhaps might believe?
Glance through the starting line-up that truly dominated an Arsenal side supposedly at the peak of its powers - James Trafford, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico O'Reilly, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku to point out just a few. All names at the start of their top-level football development journeys and all hungry for the biggest successes, aiming to replicate achievements of City previous stars.
They are complemented by more experienced names guiding them through this phase of winning in Nathan Ake, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland, alongside others - such as Phil Foden, Gianluigi Donnarumma, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic - on Sunday's bench.
Viana and City's squad planners may have found the perfect balance between present-day experience and winning mentality, with a crop of potentially world-beating stars ready to have their hands held on their way to the very top stage of the game.
The Carabao Cup of 2026 is just the beginning of a truly special journey for Manchester City once again.
Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external
Available now on BBC Sounds is an eight-part podcast series from BBC Radio 6 Music - The Rise And Fall Of Madchester.
Steve Lamacq and Alison Bell present the story of the Manchester music scene during the 1980s and 1990s - including the Hacienda specifically opening its doors to football casuals and wanting fans to be in the space, and New Order being asked to write England's 1990 World Cup anthem World In Motion.
There are contributions from, among others, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, New Order - all bands of Manchester United supporters - and Oasis, with the Gallagher brothers of course prominent Manchester City fans.
This year's 6 Music Festival is running from Wednesday to Saturday in Manchester.
Listen to all episodes on BBC Sounds
And listen to special Madchester playlist Indie Forever here
Manchester City and Manchester United want Newcastle's 25-year-old Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, although the former AC Milan player would prefer a return to his homeland. (Talksport), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Could Pep Guardiola leave Manchester City this summer? Former City goalkeeper Shay Given believes there is a chance he might.
"I just get the feeling based on the last few months and because he looks - a bit like Jurgen Klopp did - tired and not himself," said Given on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, following City's Carabao Cup success the previous day.
"He's not as charismatic at times and it looks a bit of a chore from the outside. I'm only talking on what my eyes are telling me and I have a feeling that he might walk away in the summer.
"Of course, they can still win a couple more trophies but at least he's got one trophy and he's not going to go off without one [if he does depart at the end of the season]. Maybe it was a relief from that side of things as well.
"I don't want to be right but it's just the feeling I get. He's rebuilt this team so maybe he's going to pass on the baton to the next guy."
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds
Image source, PA MediaFormer England captain Wayne Rooney, speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show about Nico O'Reilly's two goals in Manchester City's Carabao Cup final win: "I know what it's like to score two goals in that final and that was an amazing feeling, so I know what he'll be feeling. Obviously I didn't do it from left-back so it was a little bit different!
"But they were two very good goals, anticipating the first one and then sneaking in, arriving late into the penalty box. I think that's probably the midfielder in him, where he's managed to arrive at the right time, and then a great second header.
"What a day for him and his family."
On where O'Reilly could potentially fit into the England team: "He's a good player to have. He's better than saying 'he's an option to play at left-back' and 'an option to play in midfield'. He's an option to start games for England - he's proven that.
"He's making that left-back spot his own. I still prefer him in midfield and think he's a better player in midfield.
"It just shows the quality he's got and the football brain he's got to be able to play in different positions. Not many players can do that, but for him to be able to do that in a Pep Guardiola team, where there's lots of rotation, shows the quality he's got."
Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked if you think Manchester City's victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final could have an impact on the Premier League title race.
Here are some of your comments:
Philip: This result could impact who wins the title. It will be a big game when City play Arsenal and if City win, I think they will win the title as the Gunners will freak out again.
Youssef: Hopefully this win can spur us on in other competitions. The Premier League is still on - we're only three points behind them if we win our game in hand and beat them at the Etihad.
Johnny: This defeat will have absolutely no effect on Arsenal's title charge. The Premier League trophy is already theirs.
Mark: Arsenal were poor and looked nervy - not a good look for the remainder of the league fixtures!
Timothy: This trophy win will definitely give us the confidence to mount a comeback against Arsenal and win the league title, as well as the FA Cup. It shows how committed the squad is to get there.
Gene: City have been in this situation before, albeit we have many new faces still getting to know each other. Arsenal have also been in this situation and will carry the monkey on their back until proven otherwise. A win such as this may sow doubts with Arsenal and give a sense of confidence and desire to the City squad. We will soon find out the answer.
Image source, Getty ImagesCan Manchester City's victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final give them more of a chance of winning the Premier League?
Rodri seems to think so.
When the City midfielder was asked this very question after the match, he said the victory could have "a lot" of impact on the outcome of the title race.
"I told you it's a game not only for this title but to show that we can beat them," the Spain international added. "We knew it was a very important game not only because of the cup but also because we had to face the best team in the league.
"It's clear we didn't want to go out of the Champions League but we went out and now we have to take the positives - we have more time to prepare for the games.
"There's still a lot to do but that's something to take into account - but we also have to celebrate this.
"Now we need to rest, go back for the next round of internationals and come back with the optimism that we still have two more competitions to fight for."
Meanwhile, goalkeeper James Trafford has said the Wembley victory gives the team "momentum" as they try to hunt down the Gunners.
"With the international break, let's see what happens," he said.
"We are hungry professionals, we just want to keep winning and winning.
"We already have a lot of belief, but this gives us more, and gives us momentum."
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Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Arsenal and Manchester City forward Paul Dickov feels there was "only one team who wanted to play football" in the Carabao Cup final.
Despite Arsenal leading the way in the Premier League and City's inconsistent form, it was the Manchester side who took charge in the final at Wembley to secure the first piece of silverware of the 2025-26 season.
"It felt like Manchester City put a marker down for Arsenal on Sunday," he told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
"You have to give Arsenal credit because they have been fantastic all season, but they have not been playing well over recent weeks but have still been finding a way to win.
"Sometimes when you come up against a team like Manchester City who can beat anybody on any given day, you need to go out there and try to win the game.
"It felt like in the second half they didn't want to try to win the game. There was only one team who wanted to play football, one team who wanted to attack and win the game and that was Manchester City."
Ex-Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd agreed, adding: "To me, it looked like Manchester City came out on the front-foot to win the game, whereas Arsenal it seemed like they went out there but were a bit cagey to begin with.
"Then they didn't know how to get out of that funk, whereas Manchester City just completely dominated in that second half.
"Mikel Arteta should have made substitutions at half-time. As much as I love Bukayo Saka, he was non-existent on Sunday. Yes, he was wearing the captain's armband, but if it is not working then you have to make those substitutions early. It felt like Arteta was reactive rather than proactive that is why I was disappointed with him."
Image source, Getty ImagesNico O'Reilly's match-winning performance in the Carabao Cup final was a "testament" to those at the club who have kept him "level-headed", says former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd.
The left-back, who only turned 21 on Saturday, was the Wembley hero on Sunday after scoring Manchester City's two goals against Arsenal that secured them a fifth League Cup under Pep Guardiola.
It was a dream day for versatile O'Reilly - a first major trophy with the club having graduated from the City academy and only made a senior debut last season as the side struggled with injuries.
"He seems like a really level-headed boy. He plays with maturity," Bothroyd told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
"The fact he has played in a few positions as he has been coming up through the Manchester City academy has really helped his game. He said in an interview that, as a midfielder, he was always encouraged to get into the box, and that is exactly what happened on Sunday. He arrived in the box and got his two goals.
"It is a testament to Pep Guardiola, the experienced players around him and the coaches who have all kept him level-headed.
"He is a top, top player and he should be starting for England as left-back."
Back pages of the Guardian and the Telegraph
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast about Manchester City's victory in the Carabao Cup final: "You're talking about a manager [Pep Guardiola] who has won the Premier League six out of nine or 10 years. You can never write off Manchester City.
"In the past few weeks, Guardiola has been so animated on the sidelines. He didn't win any trophies last season so the pressure was on this season.
"For him to get this one over the line early doors is a good position to be in for City, because the pressure is on Arsenal [to win the Premier League] and chasing Arsenal now is probably easier for City. They'll be hunting them until the final whistle. That [Premier League] game in four weeks is going to be huge.
"They were missing Marc Guehi [in the final] and I thought they would have an issue at the back, but they were solid. James Trafford coming in was a bit of a talking point but he has done unbelievable."
Back pages of the Times and the Mirror
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Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, 31, favours a move to Barcelona when his contract runs out at the end of this season, but the Portugal international is concerned there are already enough young ball-playing midfielders in the Catalans' squad. (Sport - in Spanish), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
