What Nico Gonzalez did to Haaland that convinced Pep Guardiola Man City have got their 'mini Rodri'

Pep Guardiola called Manchester City's £50m signing Nico Gonzalez a mini version of Rodri after a fine Premier League debut against Newcastle.

Gonzalez, a £50m signing from Porto on transfer deadline day, got injured 20 minutes into his debut against Leyton Orient last week, but recovered to step up against Newcastle and looked right at home at the base of midfield. He completed more passes than any other player and made more touches, as well as impressing Guardiola with his physicality in midfield.

And Guardiola couldn't hide his happiness in Gonzalez's performance, declaring that City have found their new Rodri who will partner his compatriot for years to come at the Etihad.

"The presence from Nico helps us a lot in 50-50s. He wins them and we can go," Guardiola said. "The club made an incredible investment for the future. He’s 23, he’s like a mini-Rodri.

"It’s a big compliment but in duels he is. He’s far away in other things because Rodri is the best. But we have the feeling he'll help us the last part of the season with his presence."

Guardiola has insisted that Gonzalez can plug the gap at number six without Rodri and then move further forward when Rodri is back, and revealed that City have tried to sign him in the past from Barcelona's academy but were unsuccessful.

"I knew it from Barcelona, the rumours were there about this player, one of the best in his generation. Txiki [Begiristain] tried to bring him a long time ago in the academy but wasn't possible. Maybe he came for the academy, maybe it was better to stay in Barcelona. After there was a gap in Barcelona [to the first team] but always was there and after the option this season we struggle, so we discuss many times we need a role there.

"He is not like