Manchester City: Rodri Impresses in Opening Games

Though he may be acclimating to his new club, Rodri has looked right at home in Manchester City’s squad so far in their opening three games.

It’s been an impressive start for Manchester City’s record signing, defensive midfielder Rodri.

Though he’s getting adjusted to life in a new club, and in what’s arguably the toughest league in the world to play in, he’s looked every bit as good as City were hoping he’d be when they brought him in this summer.

Rodri’s debut in Manchester City’s opening game of the season against Liverpool in the FA Community Shield was solid. He did virtually everything Pep Guardiola would expect his holding midfielder to do.

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He broke up attacks well, and his distribution and ball control was impressive. Though he did make a few mistakes on the ball, and looked fatigued by the final moments of the game, he checked all of the boxes that people hoped he would when it came to his core responsibilities.

His performances in Manchester City’s opening two Premier League games have been even better.

In City’s opening game of the Premier League season against West Ham, he posted a very good match rating of 7.78. He attempted 72 passes, second most on the team to Aymeric Laporte, and completed 90.3% of those attempts.

Defensively, he managed two tackles, a clearance, and he won four aerial duels during the game. Only Laporte, once again, was ahead of him in aerial duels won.

It was a fantastic performance for Rodri. He helped steady the ship for City when they were in possession. He also did a fantastic job of closing down space when West Ham tried to attack. His positioning and cover was a major part of the reason why West Ham were able to create almost nothing in attack throughout the game. He was also a vital defender on set-pieces, something City has struggled with in the past.

Against Spurs this past weekend, he had a bit of an under-the-radar performance. Though his match rating wasn’t quite as high as the opening game of the season against West Ham (7.27), he was still Manchester City’s fourth best performer overall.

In attack he attempted 57 passes, but completed 98.3% of his attempts. This included contributing two key passes that led to goal-scoring chances for the team.

In defense, he led the team in tackles (four) and tied for the lead in interceptions (two). He also executed two clearances, and won three aerial duels (second to Nicolas Otamendi who won six).

Like the week prior, his work on both sides of the ball steadied the ship for the team. He helped project a calmness and confidence when City were on the ball. When they were defending. he did an excellent job of breaking up several Tottenham attacks, especially when they tried to go through the middle of the pitch.

His marking on Christian Erickson, in particular, was something to behold. Erickson is one the best attacking midfielders in the world. Rodri made Erickson look completely anonymous throughout the game.

It’s been an amazing start for him at the club. Though he’s only three games into his Manchester City career, Rodri already looks he’s been in the squad for years. He’s executing his job at near perfection.

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If this is any sign of what’s to come, City could be even better this season than they’ve been in the past two. That’s bad news for everyone else in the Premier League and in Europe.