Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Rodri is the most important player in the Premier League.
On Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, he emphasised how Manchester City do not like the same team in his absence.
The popular pundit had previously described the Spaniard as “clutch” due to his habit of rising to the biggest occasions.
Rio Ferdinand says Rodri is the most important player in the Premier League
Stephen Kelly also singled the treble-winner out as the “lynchpin” of this Manchester City side.
Rio Ferdinand has now explained why Rodri is the most important player in the Premier League.
“Yeah, without him, they lose”, he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE.
“I said last season, he’s the most important player in any team in the league. Last season. He is.”
“He’s the only player who is irreplaceable in that team. If [Erling] Haaland doesn’t play, [Julian] Alvarez comes in and bangs.”
Rio Ferdinand emphasised how a lack of an able backup for Rodri makes him extremely key for Manchester City.
“They haven’t got a player who can [do that role]. Like Fernandinho, when everyone was like, ‘Oh my, who’s going to do that [role]?’ Rodri comes in, fits in.”
Rio Ferdinand replied to the fact that Pep Guardiola must be irate seeing Rodri unavailable for games, saying, “Yeah, that’d be killing him. Like Kalvin Phillips, you’d think he’d be a readymade replacement. He just needs to go and play, man.”
Don Hutchison had also stated in October that he would put the 27-year-old in his Premier League Team of the Season so far after witnessing how much City struggle when he is absent.
This factor must be considered for Rodri in the 2024 Ballon d’Or race
Rio Ferdinand is spot on about Rodri, who is the heartbeat of this Manchester City juggernaut.
If the three-time Premier League winner does become a potential Ballon d’Or candidate next year like he was in 2023, his importance to the best team in the world should be taken into consideration during the voting process.
The same cannot be said for any other footballer on the globe, considering Manchester City’s sheer quality and their domination over the past couple of years.
As a result, while judging Rodri’s potential case, it would be unfair to merely analyse his game.
If the former Atletico Madrid midfielder ends up having a similar season to last, all the evidence points to his unparalleled influence.
