It is well known that Manchester City are in desperate need of support for Rodri for next season. A midfielder who can give City’s midfield general a rest during a busy season would be extremely advantageous for the world champions. But it isn’t as simple as buying a player and adding them to Pep Guardiola’s squad. What type of player would accept a role as Rodri’s backup or understudy makes it a difficult task to find support for City’s most important player.
First of all, Rodri is the world’s best in his position. His influence for both club and country makes him a one-of-a-kind player. This is especially true for Manchester City. Sam Lee has reported for the Athletic that City have not pursued a player who would have the aim of replacing Rodri as City considers Rodri the best in the world at his craft. That shows just how highly valued Rodri is by the City hierarchy. Also, the influence of Rodri is such that the champions suffer when he is out of the lineup. He is the heartbeat of City’s midfield and all of City’s losses in the Premier League last season came when Rodri was suspended. Finding a player who can provide a steady presence like Rodri does is no easy task for the champions. What type of player who could fill a role of such importance for City is a tough question to ponder.
What type of player could be a realistic option for what is essentially a squad role for Manchester City?
It is debatable that many top-quality players will come in and essentially agree to be a backup to Rodri. Players have their ambitions and being a backup to a well-established player is no easy task. Fraser Gillan has reported for TEAMTALK that City maintain an interest in signing Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. But would a player like Guimaraes accept a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad that would likely see him play less than he does for Newcastle? That appears to be debatable. Now if Guimaraes were to partner Rodri in midfield that would be a different proposition. But that’s a topic that can only be explored if City did sign Guimaraes.
Manchester City have tried a steady option like Kalvin Phillips to provide support for Rodri. When City signed Phillips from Leeds it appeared like a match made in heaven. The England international had shown during his spell with Leeds that he could play quality football in the Premier League. That form earned him a prominent role in Gareth Southgate’s England squad. But as of now Phillips’s time at Manchester City hasn’t panned out. Is another steady player an option City might consider to be a backup for Rodri once again? That may depend on who the player is but it may not be a route that City will explore again after the Kalvin Phillips experience.
The champions could try or buy a young player to learn the caper and be an understudy to Rodri. Jacob Wright appears to be a City academy prospect with a bright future. He looks to have the talent and potential to develop into a quality midfielder in time. But is he ready to play a prominent role for Manchester City next season? That may not be the case just yet. Wright looks to have all the tools to succeed but he may not be ready for the next step in his young career just yet. The other side to that coin is buying a younger midfielder for the role behind Rodri could be a costly exercise. There is also no guarantee that a young player could be ready for such a prominent role at the world champions.
Finding support for Rodri may take Manchester City time this summer.
It may take time this summer for Manchester City to find support for Rodri. They appear to need a very particular type of player for the role. Who that could be may not reveal itself for some time yet.
