Gary Neville has heaped praise on one ‘unbelievable’ Manchester City player but thinks opposing teams need to start targeting him more.
Manchester City might not be performing at the heights they reached in last year’s treble triumph just yet but things are going pretty well.
Pep Guardiola’s side are undefeated in 22 games and only haven’t won twice in 2024, with Chelsea and Liverpool holding them to draws.
Such is the incredibly high standard of the Premier League, City aren’t even second let alone top after such a great run as they trail Jurgen Klopp’s team and Arsenal in the title race.
Several of the Blues’ best players from last season – Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish namely – haven’t hit their top form yet, with injuries disrupting their momentum.
Yet, Rodri has continued to be sublime and Gary Neville thinks teams need to start man-marking him.
Gary Neville says team must start targeting Rodri
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Neville said: “You know who should be manmarked? Rodri.
“On him and stop him getting the ball. Rodri.
“I think if you stop him at City, I’m not saying you stop everything you don’t, but I think you stop a lot.
“I think if you stop Rodri you stop a lot. His influence on their team is unbelievable, how he just links everything together.”
Roy Keane interjected and said: “How do you stop him, though?”
Before Ian Wright added: “Even if you stop him, you’re taking someone out to stop him they’re going to create space somewhere. You can’t stop them.”
Rodri continues to get better and better
Rodri has been the best defensive midfielder on the planet for the last three years now, if not even longer. He is absolutely crucial to City, the champions of the world.
The Spaniard has not lost for over a year and and 60 games for the Blues at this point, yet all four games without him this season ended in defeat.
Rodri is integral to holding the side together and ensuring the ball, and by virtue the opposition, is completely controlled.
But he’s more than a defensive midfielder and is now consistently contributing in the attacking third as well.
Rodri already has seven goals and 11 assists to his name this season, a staggering return for someone who has other on-field priorities to contend with.
What a player.
