Rodri identifies lack of Man City leaders as opportunity to become even better

Rodri believes he can step up within the Manchester City squad after a number of leaders have left the club in recent years - but he doesn't have any burning desires to take the captain's armband from Fernandinho this season.

With Fernandinho leaving City after nine years, the Blues will need to appoint a new club captain, with players and staff voting for a five-man leadership group every campaign.

When he signed a new contract this summer, Rodri alluded to his ambitions to become more of a leader in the dressing room, and he explained that this is one of the areas he can improve ahead of the new season.

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Speaking to UK press at City's team hotel in Houston ahead of their first pre-season friendly against Club America, Rodri said he can always improve on his impressive form over the last couple of seasons.

“I think I can improve. I’m 26 and see myself as getting even better," he said.

“When I speak with my friends and the team I say that if I can do the same as last season then that’s great - but I can see myself getting better. I want to improve every season. Every year has got better since I arrived.

“The first year I came you adapt to your position and the second year you start growing up. The third year you are consolidated in the team, and now I feel that I control all aspects of the game. I can grow. I had to adapt to the manager and the club and now I can grow as a player.”

Regarding leadership specifically, Rodri admitted he can improve most in this area, especially with a number of experienced players leaving in recent seasons.

"I don’t know as a role of a captain physically," he said. “That is the gap I have to improve in the most.