Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester City will not win as much silverware without Rodri and Erling Haaland.
The pair were arguably City’s most important players last season as they went on to win a historic treble.
While Erling Haaland scored goals at a rate one has rarely seen in the 21st century, Rodri was his side’s lynchpin from the base of midfield.
Rio Ferdinand says Manchester City will not win as many trophies without Rodri and Erling Haaland
Even during this campaign, an argument can be made that the Sky Blues duo have been Pep Guardiola’s most trusted performers.
The Spanish midfielder has arguably been the best player in the world in his position while Haaland has the second most goal involvements in the Premier League (21, 16 goals and five assists).
As a result, Rio Ferdinand believes that without Rodri and Erling Haaland, Manchester City will not win as many trophies as they do.
“It’s only really Rodri that you take out of that squad and probably now [Erling] Haaland maybe. If they take them two out, they might not win things, as many things. They’ll still win but they won’t be as dominant, I don’t think. Rodri, especially”, he said on FIVE’s official YouTube channel.
Surprisingly, it seems like Rio Ferdinand believes Kevin De Bruyne is not as impactful as the pair.
“But even KDB [Kevin De Bruyne] comes out, did they really change?”
“He brings something different but results-wise, did they really change? He comes off in the last two Champions League finals, they didn’t win one, they won the other one.”
The Rodri conversation depends on the season in question
If Rio Ferdinand is referring to Manchester City perhaps not being as dominant without Erling Haaland and especially Rodri, it depends on whether he means this season or in the future.
In the 2023/2024 campaign, due to the former Atletico Madrid midfielder not having an understudy, if he gets injured or is unavailable for some rhyme or reason, City’s title challenge as well as hopes to win the Champions League and the FA Cup could be derailed.
But next season, on the other hand, one would be surprised if the treble-winners decide not to sign an alternative to Rodri once again.
As for Erling Haaland, however, Manchester City have an able backup in the form of Julian Alvarez, even though he has a long way to go to become the all-round threat that the former is.
But in any case, City have played with a false nine in the past and as a result, they could adapt accordingly by simply fielding Phil Foden as their makeshift striker.
