Manchester City have been one of the most successful sides in world football over the past few years.
In addition to becoming the first side to win four consecutive Premier League trophies last season, City have also won three European titles since 2023.
This highlights just how much of a strong squad the Manchester club have and how Pep Guardiola has been able to get the best out of them.
Now though, a pundit and former City manager has been speaking about one particular figure currently at the club and the journey he’s been on since joining the Blues.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Stuart Pearce highlights Rodri’s evolution at Man City
After seeing Rodri pick up a serious injury during City’s recent 2-2 draw against Arsenal, Stuart Pearce had this to say about the midfielder in a recent video shared on the talkSPORT YouTube channel.
He said: “I think he has been a slow burner at the start, and people just expected him to be part of it and there was a lot of thrills and spills around him.
“The other players were kinder on the eye and got the goals in all that. And all of a sudden over the last couple of years, people realise how effective he is for the team and how irreplaceable he is.
“A real blow for him and certainly the club.”
Rodri is a crucial figure for City
Back in the 2019 summer transfer window, City paid £62.5m to sign the midfielder from Atletico Madrid.
Since then, the Spaniard has made 260 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions, scoring 26 goals, delivering 30 assists and winning multiple trophies along the way.
In every Premier League campaign he’s appeared in for City prior to this current one, Rodri has featured in at least 33 matches, which highlights how important he is for the team.
With it now being reported that the knee injury which forced Rodri off the pitch in the first half against Arsenal will keep him out of action for the remainder of the season, it’s hard to argue with Pearce that this would be a significant blow for City given how crucial he is for the team.
