Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly planning to register Rodri in the squad for the Champions League knockout stages. The Spanish midfielder has been out since September with a serious knee injury but could still play a role this season.

Crisis averted then for Manchester City. Or perhaps that should read crisis postponed? The champions of England escaped the league phase and through a certain prism, there is a case to be made that Pep Guardiola's side are well into the post-nadir period of their season.