David Raya has revealed that if he was an outfield player, he would look up to a player in the current Manchester City squad.
With City having a whole host of top players at their disposal, it is no surprise that even fellow professionals wish to emulate them.
For instance, one can imagine that even active players would be over the moon if they were blessed with Kevin De Bruyne’s quality as a whole.
Similarly, other strikers would hope to have Erling Haaland’s eye for goal.
David Raya says if he was an outfield player, he would ‘look up to’ Rodri
As for a defender, they would love to have the attributes of several of Sky Blues’ warriors at the back.
For instance, Kyle Walker’s pace, Ruben Dias’ defending inside the box, John Stones’ ball-playing ability and perhaps Nathan Ake’s one-versus-one defending.
However, if other players around the world had such qualities, their signatures would be targeted by Pep Guardiola’s men.
Initially, when David Raya was asked which position he would play if he was an outfield player, he replied, “I don’t know, I think I wouldn’t mind playing as a [number] six. But that’s a lot of running. But yeah, as a six, I wouldn’t mind because I’m comfortable on the ball. If you put me now as a six, I don’t think I could do the job but if I trained when I was younger to be an outfield player, I think I could’ve been alright.”
When quizzed about if there was a player he would model his game on as a defensive midfielder, Rodri was one of the names David Raya took.
“Yeah, of course. Now, thinking, now the days of Rodri, for me, he’s one of the best holding midfielders along with Declan [Rice]. Completely different players but that’s the two ones I would look up to”, he told Stadium Astro during an interview.
Rodri commands respect
Having trained and played with Rodri for the Spanish national team, David Raya perhaps needs no reminding of how terrific a player he is.
The £62.5 million man has progressed to such a high standard that even fellow professionals like Raya simply tip their hat to him.
Even David Raya’s Arsenal teammate, Declan Rice recently claimed that the treble-winner is arguably the best holding midfielder in the game.
Such is the standard Rodri has set that one has to set sporting rivalries aside and appreciate his one-of-a-kind quality.
