Why Rodri is still Man City's most important player

Since Rodri arrived in 2019 for £62.5million, he has been an integral part of the success that Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team has achieved in recent years. The Spanish midfielder, alongside players like Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernando Silva, has won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, a Super Cup, and the pinnacle of European football, the Champions League.

Rodri is that rare commodity, a player who can provide world-class quality and trophy-winning moments in both defensive and attacking areas. He dictates from the centre of the park, rotating with the multi-talented centre-backs that Guardiola has constructed through the inverted full-backs, with also the ability to drop into the defensive line with no hesitation.

Guardiola loves players who can offer versatility with Bernando Silva offering both a threat of 10+ goals a season with the role of a workhorse in the City line-up. And players like John Stones, Akanji, and Nathan Ake appear regularly in multiple positions thanks to Pep's fluid tactical thinking.

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While providing a solid wall in front of those defenders, Rodri's attacking numbers are also highly significant - not least when he pops up at the most vital moments, particularly last season and most notably in the Champions League final. This season he already has contributed to six goals - three goals and three assists - in his eleven games in the squad.

His standing as - potentially - the best all-round player in the Premier League has been cemented by the games when he has not been there. He was