Shaun Wright-Phillips has said that Rodri is the most important player at Manchester City without question.
On CBS Sports Golazo, the pundit emphasised how pivotal the Spanish international was during the club’s treble-winning season and how key he remains currently as well.
During the same episode, Charlie Davies also opted for the £63 million (Daily Mail) man as the Sky Blues’ most vital player, placing Ruben Dias just behind him.
Shaun Wright-Phillips names Rodri as the most important player at Manchester City
Paul Merson once described the 27-year-old as City’s “insurance policy”, touching on his ability to make his teammates play better.
Now, Shaun Wright-Phillips has broken down why no player at Manchester City is as important to their success as Rodri.
“Rodri. I think even last year, he was just key to that success so I think this year, obviously, when he got suspended, you could see that”, he told CBS Sports Golazo.
“I wouldn’t say the players are not capable enough to play without him because I think they are because they’re all fantastic but I think the way City play in general, he makes them tick. Everything, the ball goes through him, the way he positions himself in transition when it’s the other way around, I just think he’s a massive part to that puzzle.”
Shaun Wright-Phillips is clearly a huge admirer of Rodri, picking him over Roy Keane in an all-time combined XI involving Manchester City and Manchester United.
The absence of Rodri hurt the treble-winners against Aston Villa
Shaun Wright-Phillips has a point about Rodri, who was suspended to face Aston Villa and lo and behold, Manchester City suffered a 1-0 loss on Wednesday night.
In the four games the former Atletico Madrid lynchpin has missed this season against the likes of Villa, Wolves and Arsenal in the Premier League and Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup, the Sky Blues have tasted defeats.
A double pivot of John Stones and Manuel Akanji struggled to contend with Unai Emery’s side, who bypassed the pair on multiple instances to create chances galore.
Both defensively and in terms of controlling the game, City looked worse for wear in what was arguably their poorest performance of the campaign.
While Pep Guardiola’s men have shown their ability to cope without the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and even Erling Haaland in certain games, they tend to be all over the place in Rodri’s absence.
