Manchester City cemented themselves as the best side in England last season by winning another Premier League title.
Specifically, Pep Guardiola’s side became the first side to win four consecutive Premier League trophies at the end of their previous campaign.
With 14 members of the City squad being involved in the 2024 European Championship – more than any other side in the top flight – one of those players has been hailed by someone who knows what it takes to play at the Etihad Stadium.
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Micah Richards says no one comes close to Rodri in world football
Speaking in a recent episode of The Rest Is Football after Spain’s 2-1 win over France, Micah Richards had this to say on the subject of Rodri and where he ranks among other defensive-midfielders in the world right now.
He said: “I tried to tell you guys many months ago, and it’s not the fact because Rodri in his first season at Man City actually struggled in terms of he got in positions where he couldn’t recover because he’s not that quick on the turn, but how he adapts on the field to always be in the right position, always on the half turn receive the ball, he can quicken the pace and he can slow it down.
“He’s just got everything you want as a defensive-midfielder who can play and dictate from that position as well.
“I just think the amount of games, and I remember early in the season, him and Pep didn’t have a fallout, but had a little bit of disagreement about, he said he was tired and he had a little bit of a rest and then to keep this pace up and bring his form into the Euros.
“There was a moment in the game though when he was [asking to be subbed]. But he carried on.
“It’s not even a debate now, I know we had the, earlier in the tournament, [Hakan] Calhanoglu basically said he’s the best holding-midfielder. And Rodri, without a doubt, it’s not even close.
“Whether it’s on the ball, whether it’s in the mind, whether it’s his passing ability, he comes up with important goals as well and assists.
“It’s actually incredible what he’s doing in football. He’s the best, isn’t he?”
Rodri is one of the best midfielders in the world
Since City paid £62m to sign Rodri from Atletico Madrid back in 2019, the midfielder has gone on to make 257 appearances for the Blues across all competitions, scoring 26 goals, delivering 30 assists and lifting many trophies in the process.
In the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings, the midfielder came fifth, leaving only Kevin De Bruyne (fourth) as the only midfielder to be ranked higher than him.
With former Arsenal and City star, Patrick Vieira, who is considered to be one of the best midfielders in Premier League history, saying back in May that he is a big fan of Rodri, this further highlights the high esteem that the Spaniard is kept in.
Taking all of that on board, we agree, and feel that it would be difficult to find any City supporter who didn’t, with Richards about Rodri being the best number six in the world.
