Micah Richards has talked up the significance of Manchester City not having Rodri available.
Pep Guardiola’s side crashed to a first Premier League defeat of the new season against Wolves on Saturday at Molineux.
City lost 2-1, with Wolves defending and counter-attacking to great effect.
Julian Alvarez got City’s goal after Pedro Neto had forced an own goal from Ruben Dias in the first-half.
But Hwang Hee-chan struck a second-half winner, with City unable to breach the hosts’ defence.
City had a lot of the ball and created several chances. But they were not particularly good quality ones.
Many City fans have pointed to the absence of Rodri as being a huge factor in City losing. And that is something Richards has also mentioned…
Micah Richards talks up Rodri absence and says Mateo Kovacic ‘kept getting caught’ against Wolves
Richards was speaking about City’s latest defeat on The Rest Is Football podcast, with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.
The result was always going to be a talking point.
Richards heaped praise on Wolves, but believes the absence of Rodri was absolutely significant for City.
He said: “One thing was evident for everyone – Rodri. Him being suspended. He controls the tempo of the game. And I’m not saying if he was there they would have won. But it went too easy from back to front. Without any real protection. Kovacic (29) I really love, I think he’s done well since he’s come to Man City. But he’s more of a dribbler and he kept getting caught on the ball when they just needed a bit of calm in that midfield.
“But take nothing away from Wolves.”
It was interesting to see Pep not starting Kalvin Phillips on Saturday. He is the only other out-and-out holding midfielder and the natural replacement for Rodri. Clearly, Pep still does not totally trust the England international.
Rodri absence has been hugely significant for Manchester City
Everyone knew how important a player Rodri was for City.
But there last two results against Wolves and Newcastle United have really put it into perspective just how good he is.
Richards is right. The Spaniard brings calm and control to the midfield.
Had he played yesterday, Wolves may not have been able to surge through quite as easily as they did at times.
Rodri will serve the final game of his ban against Arsenal this weekend, and the game with the Gunners could be a seriously tough one without him.
