Paul Merson believes Rodri is the best defensive midfielder in world football.
In January, Paul Dickov went as far as to claim that the Spaniard has raised the standards to a level that even a Manchester City legend like Fernandinho did not reach.
Dean Saunders also named the 27-year-old in his Premier League Team of The Season, praising him for “playing out of his skin” once again this campaign.
Paul Merson says Rodri is the best defensive midfielder in the world
Ruben Dias claimed that while a majority of holding midfielders are either excellent defensively or just proficient in possession, the £220,000-a-week (Sport Rac) man is unique in the respect that he possesses both facets to his game.
While even Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold feels Manchester City “are not the same” in his absence.
Now, Paul Merson has hailed Rodri by crowning him as the best in the world in his position.
“There’s other players like your Rodri’s, who are going to be sitting there, who are just going to keep it ticking over, no spills or thrills, get the ball, roll it, play it. For me, he’s the best in the world at doing that so even though he’s not a maverick, he’s still the best in the world at playing his position”, he said on the Football’s Greatest podcast with Jeff Stelling.
Previously, Paul Merson has described Rodri as “different class”, claiming that he is an “irreplaceable” figure in this Sky Blues side.
Surprising to see Manchester City have not signed a backup for Rodri in January so far
With the January transfer set to come to a close, one is surprised to see that so far, City have not done everything in their power to bring in an alternative to Rodri, with Kalvin Phillips also currently at West Ham on loan.
As Paul Merson rightly claimed, Rodri is the best in the world in his position and arguably Manchester City’s most vital player.
However, Pep Guardiola’s men have ceased to bring in a backup option in holding midfield in January who could ease the former Atletico Madrid anchor’s burden.
Whether the treble-winners intend on making a late move for a midfield target or choosing to recruit an understudy for Rodri in the summer is the question.
