Rodri warns players are ‘close’ to striking over increasing number of fixtures

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has suggested players could strike over increasing fixture congestion.

City face a busy season ahead as they compete in the new-look Champions League and an expanded Club World Cup next summer.

A number of players – including City defender Manuel Akanji and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker – have expressed concern about the additional workload facing elite players in recent days, and the chief executive of the English players’ union, Maheta Molango, has said those running the game must “sit up and take notice” of their comments.

Euro 2024 winner Rodri, one of the leading contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or award, agrees the issue is a major concern.

Asked if players could ever strike or refuse to play, the influential Spain international said at a press conference: “I think we are close to that. I think if you ask any player he will say the same.

“It is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever. I think it’s the general opinion of the players.

“And if it keeps this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option, I really think, but let’s see.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen but it’s something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer.”

Rodri was speaking ahead of City’s Champions League opener against Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

The match will be City’s first taste of the event’s new league phase – a 36-team competition in which all teams will play eight unique fixtures.

That is an increase of two on the old group stage, while teams finishing in positions nine to 24 will play an additional two-legged play-off tie.

That means City, having featured in the Community Shield in August, could potentially play 75 matches this season. Players