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Manchester City: Why Rodri’s Signing Is So Crucial

By Dan Larsen

HUESCA, SPAIN - JANUARY 19: Rodri Hernandez of Atletico de Madrid runs with the ball during the La Liga match between SD Huesca and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio El Alcoraz on January 19, 2019 in Huesca, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
HUESCA, SPAIN - JANUARY 19: Rodri Hernandez of Atletico de Madrid runs with the ball during the La Liga match between SD Huesca and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio El Alcoraz on January 19, 2019 in Huesca, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
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Cover and Competition

MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 20: Rodri of Atletico Madrid controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Juventus at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 20, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 20: Rodri of Atletico Madrid controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Juventus at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 20, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) /

Rodri also provides value by giving Manchester City better cover and competition in the side. Fernandinho has not had a real competitor for his spot since Yaya Toure’s peak years for the club in 2013-15. Having a legitimate contender should push him to be even better.

He also provides cover for Fernandinho if or when he is injured or needs a rest. Fernandinho has trailed off a bit towards the end of seasons over each of the past three years. Because he was their best option in the position by quite a bit, he was forced to play a ton of minutes early in seasons. Physical and mental fatigue would strike as a result of those minutes by the time City got their crucial fixtures in the UEFA Champions League, leading to him being a level below what he’s capable of when they needed him most.

Injuries have also struck Fernandinho because of the major minutes he’s logged. City coped with Ilkay Gundogan in the holding role for much of the second half of the season just passed when Fernandinho was out. However, Gundogan is not nearly as good at the defensive end of the game as Fernandinho is.

Without an elite defensive midfield option in that role, City have left their defense vulnerable against Europe’s best in past seasons. It was part of the reason why their defense took them out of the UEFA Champions League in each of the past three seasons.

City shouldn’t have to worry about any defensive drop off anymore if Fernandinho is unavailable or struggling with Rodri in the squad.

Conclusion

Rodri’s transfer should be what takes Manchester City closer to European glory this coming season. Given his elite defensive skills, his incredible passing, and improved physical traits, Rodri should be the perfect fit for the pivot role in Pep Guardiola’s side.

European titles are decided in midfield. His skill set is exactly what a team needs their defensive midfielder to be if they’re going to achieve their long awaited goal of reaching European glory.

Next. City Will Have To Sell Before They Buy. dark

If he can continue to make improvements, it’s not difficult to envision him taking the title as the world’s best holding midfielder in the not so distant future.