Manchester City's midfield maestro Rodri has been hailed by Pep Guardiola as the unparalleled best in the world, despite often flying under the radar compared to his headline-grabbing teammates.
Guardiola's glowing endorsement comes on the heels of Rodri's critical role in salvaging a crucial point for the title contenders in their recent 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
Guardiola's Midfield Mastermind
Guardiola appreciates the subtlety of Rodri's contributions, emphasizing the importance of the holding midfielder's role in the team's dynamics.
20:33 - 18.02.2024
Manchester City planning to hijack Real Madrid move for Kylian Mbappe
Premier League defending champions Manchester City are reportedly in talks to hijack Real Madrid's move for Kylian Mbappe.
"I would say if the holding midfielder doesn’t get the same appreciation as the strikers or the number 10 then that is good. When a holding midfielder has a lot of appreciation, it is not good," Guardiola noted, as reported by the Independent, underlining the vital but often unsung role Rodri plays.
Despite not always being in the spotlight, Rodri's clutch moments, including a Champions League final-winning goal and a dramatic equalizer against Chelsea, underscore his value to the team.
"But Rodri always has the ability in important moments to score goals so he’s an unbelievable player. He’s the best midfield player in the world currently by far because he is able to do everything," Guardiola added, lauding his ability to excel in every facet of the game.
City's Title Chase and Team Spirit
Manchester City's ambition remains undiminished despite a slight stumble, leaving them third in the league standings, trailing behind Liverpool and Arsenal.
The team's determination is palpable, with defender Kyle Walker highlighting the competitive spirit driving City's quest for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.
"But we want to do something that no-one’s ever been able to do and that’s win four in a row, so we’ve got our own motivation," Walker stated, pointing to the unique milestone within their grasp.