City’s midfield lynchpin is an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s squad

Manchester City’s midfield lynchpin Rodri has become an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s squad. The City manager explained the importance of the midfielder to his side during his pre-game press conference before his team clashes with Everton.

The importance of City’s midfield lynchpin cannot be underestimated. Manchester City are a different side without Rodri. All three of their losses in the Premier League have come without the Spanish international. Wolves, Arsenal and Aston Villa all took advantage of Rodri’s absence to beat the world champions. Those results highlight how vital Rodri is to the City.

Since arriving at the club from Atletico Madrid Rodri has become arguably the best central midfielder in world football. He has thrived under Pep Guardiola and has taken his game to another level. Rodri scored the winner in last season’s Champions League final and is so often there for a crucial contribution when his team needs him the most. It is a fair comparison to compare Rodri to City legend Yaya Toure. The Ivorian midfielder also had the ability to arrive in crucial moments like Rodri during his time at the club.

Pep Guardiola is well aware of how vital Rodri is to his side. Speaking before his teams clash with Everton the City manager was asked about Rodri’s importance to his team. Guardiola said: “Well, the quality he has! The quality, the presence, the composure, the personality, how he reacts when we concede a goal, his body language, a thousand million things – he’s an incredible, complete holding midfielder, football player I would say. He’s really important, otherwise he would not play as much minutes as he has played.”

City’s midfield lynchpin developed into the player he is today

Guardiola also praised how Rodri has developed since a tough first season at the Etihad. The City manager said: “Never, since I arrived, I saw a training session from him being a little bit flat or a little bit distracted, he’s always focussed and always encouraging his mates. He’s a true leader on the pitch, so competitive, and he learned all the tricks that it needs to be a holding midfielder. And of course, playing and correcting and encouraging the good things, correcting the bad ones, you get better. This is what happened with Rodri.”

City’s midfield lynchpin has become an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s lineup. If the champions are to create history this season Rodri will no doubt again be at the heart of it all.