Manchester City completed the signing of Atletico Madrid and Spanish midfield enforcer Rodri after the Etihad club paid his release clause making him the clubs record signing.
Representatives for Manchester City travelled to La Liga’s headquarters in Madrid to make a payment of £63million (€70m). The 23-year-old has stated previously it his dream to play under Pep Guardiola and the City boss has been interested in the Atletico midfield enforcer for some time and also sees him as the ideal replacement for Fernandinho in defensive midfield.
According to various Spanish reports, Rodri had grown concerned at the style of play deployed at the Wanda Metropolitano and the lack of ambition under Diego Simeone. Regularly touted as Sergio Busquets’ successor in the Spanish midfield, Rodri registered 84 appearances for Villareal before making a £22million move to join Simeone’s side in May 2018.
Born in Madrid, Rodri initially joined Atletico Madrid’s youth setup in 2007 at the age of 11, from boyhood outfit CF Rayo Majadahonda. However, he was released in 2013 for lacking physical strength which led him to subsequently sign for Villareal CF. There he bounced from adversity, bursting onto the scene in late-2015 where he made his first team debut against Spanish outfit Huesca in the Copa Del Rey. His next three appearances were in that competition, but his maiden La Liga appearances finally came against Rayo Vallecano coming on as a second-half substitute for Denis Suarez, in which he put in an impressive short cameo despite the game ending in defeat for Villareal.
It was in that defeat, that Villareal unearthed a midfield gem. His first-touch, movement, understanding of his positioning, composure in possession and anticipation in defensive scenarios was so clear to see – looking like a young Sergio Busquets. A player who Rodri who has been compared to on many occasions since his debut for the Yellow Submarines. Of a similar build, stature and height to the Spanish legend, you could see why the comparisons are so vivid and accurate.
After three seasons at Villareal, Rodri returned to the club who released him for his lack of a physical structure, exactly the type of player that Simeone was indeed looking for when Atletico triggered his release clause of £17.8million last summer. Arriving at the Wanda Metropolitano with only one cap under his belt, Rodri came into Simeone’s side expecting to be the backbone and lieutenant that Simeone once held in the form of Gabi, a player who was an anchor in midfield for Atletico over the past 5-10 years. Combative, tenacious, workhorse and also a calming presence when in possession of the ball – the kind of characteristics Gabi held that Simeone saw in Rodri.
It was last season that saw Rodri enjoy his impressive breakthrough season, adding another five caps for Spain becoming the anchor that both club and country needed. He seamlessly slotted into Simeone’s line-up breaking up play, dominating midfield battles and providing Atletico the assurance when in possession on the ball. There is no doubt about it, Rodri will be a huge miss for Atletico despite the disagreement both player and manager had on the style and ambition of the club. However, Atletico Madrid have moved swiftly in the market to replace the midfielder, signing Real Madrid’s young talent Marcos Llorente – a player of similar abilities to Rodri and a player capable of filling the gap left by the former Villareal man.
For City though, Manchester City have yet another impressive recruitment on their hands and have potentially signed a player capable of quickly settling in and becoming the creme of Pep Guardiola’s tantalising crop. And once again, City have managed to address a pressing need in the heart of their midfield, with the ageing Fernandinho (34) coming to the twilight of his career and the future of Ilkay Gundogan still unclear, Guardiola has deemed it necessary for City to sign a player of such class and quality and a player that could be gracing the City colours for a number of years.
The 2019 transfer window has been rather captivating so far for Chelsea replacing their manager, Tottenham already making a statement signing, and Manchester United and Arsenal both trying to secure that can quickly elevate them back to where they belong in the pinnacle of English football. But for Liverpool and Manchester City – the two best from last season – its been rather slow. But while it seems it may stay the same for Liverpool, Manchester City have have just broken their transfer record and have probably just completed the most astute signing of the signing in Rodri. He becomes the fifth most expensive signing to join the Premier League.
On the evidence of the comments above made by reputable and knowledgeable reporters, it looks as though Manchester City have already captured another Premier League before a ball has even been kicked. Yes, Rodri is a special player. A special player in his own right. Compared to Sergio Busquets on many occasions over the past few years. However, if you’ve watched Rodri closely, there are subtle differences in both players games, while Busquets uses his positional acumen and awareness, Rodri is more mobile to strut around the lines of midfield reclaiming possession and bringing counter-attacks to a complete halt. It has been said that Rodri is more likely the more athletic version of Busquets. That in itself is frightening, considering the kind of levels Busquests has reached over the last decade.
Rodri may not much in terms of his goal threat. 3 in 47 appearances for Atletico and only once the season before with Villareal. But with the calibre of players he will be playing alongside, he doesn’t need to worry about going on a goal blitz here and there, all Rodri will need to worry about is defending his defence and that he does expertly and with such vigour and aplomb. As a defensive midfielder, Rodri is said to be outstanding by his contemporaries, and given the state of play in and around Manchester City’s issue in defensive midfield, slowly phasing out the ageing Fernandinho will be smooth sailing for Pep Guardiola.
Technically sound, calm and collected in possession, bullish without it and a tenacity that certain midfielders of the modern era can only dream of. Rodri is and will become a player of true class and quality. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, City may have a player capable of becoming probably even better than his Spanish predecessor and counterpart Sergio Busquets. A testament to the kind of work Manchester City are undergoing and completing behind the scenes in terms of recruitment. These are the kind of players that are a true representation of Pep Guardiola’s philosophy and the incredible identity of the blue half of Manchester. City now hold quality in every area of the pitch, and with the re-signing of academy product Angelino from PSV Eindhoven – another gifted player at left-back – Guardiola and his men are well on their way in trying to become the best in Europe for the first time in their history.
Keep an eye out for Rodri next season. A player of incredible class and quality. A player for the present and the future, a very very bright one.
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