'The glimmer of hope'

Rodri this, Rodri that. Yes, it goes without saying that the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is absolutely integral to the way Manchester City operate and just how successful they are on the pitch. But without him, there are two elements keeping Pep Guardiola's side alive.

Had it not been for two players at the weekend, and in many games already this season, who knows how much lower we would be in the Premier League table.

No, it is not Kevin de Bruyne. It is not Josko Gvardiol. It is not Ederson or Stefan Ortega Moreno.

We are talking about Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland, and should City's injury list get even worse through problems to either of those two, you can almost certainly write the entire campaign off.

In the Portuguese defender, you have a natural leader. The true captain in City's defensive line. One who commits his entire life to his profession and, at the moment, is keeping the club from shipping three goals a game - or at least that was the case at Selhurst Park.

There is a calmness and an assured presence to his game. No erratic lapses of judgement, but a seamless transition into various strategies deployed by Guardiola and, at times, Dias is having to pass that on to other members of the squad.

Perhaps if sentimental value was not at the heart of leadership votes in previous seasons, we would be looking at Dias as the Manchester City captain, and one for years to come at that.

And then we turn to Haaland. Fifteen goals separate the Norwegian from a six-man cohort of City players tied on three goals in the top-scorer rankings this season. Has he been perfect? Absolutely not, and I'm sure he would be the first to admit that himself.

But can you imagine a scenario where the 24-year-old sustains an injury and Guardiola is forced to turn to the rest of his squad to deliver the goals? It is possible, and one we would rather not imagine.

For now, while Guardiola awaits the returns of his injured stars, Haaland and Dias remain the glimmer of hope for a successful season.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra