Manchester City have a whole host of players that have garnered praise for years and rightfully so, considering how much Pep Guardiola’s men have won over the years.
Kyle Walker lauded Erling Haaland, for instance, who has cemented his status as one of the most devastating forwards in the world since his move to City.
Another player who has been widely applauded is Rodri, who Darren Bent referred to as “incredible” and considering the lofty standards that the 28-year-old has set in a Manchester City shirt, he merits praise.
Tijjani Reijnders has raved about Ilkay Gundogan, who is another Sky Blues stalwart whose status as one of the best midfielders of his generation is set in stone.
Michael Carrick hints Rodri is overrated due to the talk about his impact on Man City
However, as is the case with great players, fans and pundits alike can go overboard in their praise for them and perhaps some of Manchester City’s superstars may be considered examples of such treatment.
Considering Pep Guardiola is considered an era-defining manager, the Catalan tactician himself would perhaps rubbish any such claims due to how key his main men have been to City’s success.
During his interview on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, Michael Carrick hinted Rodri is overrated due to how much is made up of Manchester City not being the same team in his absence, saying: “Rodri’s probably the obvious one [in terms of being the best number six in the world] just because there’s kind of so much made of him being there, when he’s not been there, kind of the difference but it’s probably gone a bit extreme really but listen, he’s an incredible player but I’m not sure it’s that true, it’s gone a bit exaggerated both ways.”
However, Michael Carrick went on to praise Rodri, who Nathan Ake recently hailed as well, adding: “But he’s a massive part of every team he plays in and I think that’s why because throughout the game, he keeps it simple…sorry, it’s not simple, he makes it look simple, so you can look and think, ‘he’s not done an awful lot’ but he keeps everything connected.”
Michael Carrick believes Rodri sees the game unlike most players in the world, explaining: “And I think he’s the one where he’s a step ahead and he sees it from above. In a game, in terms of dealing with distances, he’s seen it from there and who’s exactly where and what’s going on, who’s jumping, where the press is coming from, where the space is…from up here.”
“I just think the best players see the game from up high, almost looking done on it and almost know where everything is. And other players will rely on, in the moment, instinct of like ‘contact, I need to dribble’ but they only see that little bit of space around them.”
‘One v one, I’m alright, I’m clear, I beat you’ but you didn’t know where the other spaces or who’s free and I think the best players, especially midfielders almost take a step back, take a step up, take the old wide-angle [lens] out and know exactly what the pitch looks like. And I think that’s what separates him probably from most.”
Rio Ferdinand has already revealed who is better between Rodri and Michael Carrick
Considering Pep Guardiola described Rodri as “irreplaceable”, he would undoubtedly disagree with Michael Carrick’s comments.
Rodri left Phil Foden speechless, as the Manchester City midfielder admitted he was “lost for words” about his teammates, who he reckoned was his boyhood club’s “most important player.”
Based on their respective careers as well, it could be argued that the Spaniard has been far more instrumental to City’s success in comparison to Carrick and his influence on Manchester United.
With Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or last year, his unique impact on Pep Guardiola’s side was highlighted.
The same cannot be said about the former Middlesbrough boss, even though he was an excellent player.
Even Rio Ferdinand claimed Rodri is better than Carrick, despite having played with the retired midfielder for Manchester United, West Ham United and England.
“He’s not [Roy] Keane and Rodri’s above him, I have to say. And [Michael] Carrick’s probably the best CDM [central defensive midfielder] I’ve played with. Him and Owen Hargreaves were ridiculous. But I think Roy Keane is another level up because of [being] even more of just a footballer and Rodri, what he’s doing right now, he’s the best CDM on the planet, no doubt.”
