Manchester City secured their first win of the 2024/25 Premier League season last weekend with a 2-0 away win at Chelsea.
Goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic secured the three points for Pep Guardiola’s side as they look to potentially land a fifth consecutive Premier League trophy.
Having made history with their previous league title victory, one figure in the City squad has now been hailed for what he does in the team, even though he wasn’t involved in the event win at Chelsea.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Danny Murphy highlights how vital Rodri is for Man City
After seeing Phil Foden pick up the PFA Player of the Year award recently, Danny Murphy said this on talkSPORT about why he thinks Rodri may have been a similarly appropriate pick for the award.
He said: “Rodri is the best player, most important player. Four times he was missing for City, they lost three of those games [last season].
“And I just think he’s the only one player they seem to struggle without. They’ve won the league last year without [Kevin] De Bruyne for what? Four months, [Erling] Haaland for three months.
“They’ve won the league without a striker in the past. But Rodri is the one consistent and when he’s not there, I mean his record is just unbelievable. It’s just incredible what he brings to the team.”
Rodri is crucial for Man City
This isn’t the first time a talkSPORT pundit has highlighted the midfielder’s importance to the Citizens, as Ray Parlour said earlier this month that City are very reliant on Rodri.
Not only did City lose the three Premier League games Rodri missed through suspension last season, as Murphy mentioned, but the Blues also saw him prove why he is so important for the team on the pitch.
Specifically, the Spaniard racked up more progressive passes (376), shot-creating actions (157) and successful tackles (43) than any other player in the City squad.
This showcases just how much of an all-round midfielder he is and what he offers the team.
