Amadou Onana has revealed that his toughest opponent in the Premier League has been Rodri this season.
The Belgian international went toe-to-toe with the Manchester City anchor when both started during Everton’s 3-1 defeat to the champions of England at Goodison Park.
The 22-year-old also came on in the 78th minute during the Toffees’ 2-0 loss to an Erling Haaland-inspired City side at the Etihad Stadium.
Amadou Onana says “very smart” Rodri has been his toughest opponent in the Premier League this season
Amadou Onana went on to describe why Rodri is a top player and the challenges that come with locking horns with him.
“My toughest opponent in the Premier League was this time, Rodri. I feel like he’s a very smart player, he knows how to move, he reads the game very well”, he said in an interview with the Premier League [via YouTube].
In both games, Rodri was one of the best players on the pitch.
Despite the £63 million (The Times) man making a poor pass in the build-up to Jack Harrison’s opener against Everton away from home, he had a brilliant game and Onana clearly agrees.
While at the Etihad Stadium, the 27-year-old also dictated proceedings from the get-go and dominated Everton’s midfield.
Considering Amadou Onana is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the league himself, the fact that he has acknowledged how difficult Rodri is to play against is a testament to his class.
Earlier this month, Luton Town defender Tom Lockyer also sang the Spanish international’s praises.
The Welshman admitted that it was a “joy” to share the pitch with the treble-winner and revealed that while facing him, one wonders what he cannot do on a football pitch.
It seems like Rodri left a similar impression on Amadou Onana, who is otherwise known to give even some of the best midfielders in the league a tough time.
But ultimately, players like the former Atletico Madrid technician remain the gold standard and even if an opponent rates them highly, they perhaps fail to realise just how excellent they are until the match-up between them comes to fruition.
