Manchester City will seek a replacement for Rodri following the Spain international’s departure for Barcelona, manager Enzo Maresca has said.
Rodri left City earlier this week after seven seasons at the Etihad Stadium, joining Barcelona in a deal reportedly worth about £65m. The 30-year-old won four Premier League titles, the 2023 Champions League and the 2024 Ballon d’Or during his time at City.
Asked how City would replace such an influential player, Maresca said: “We try to find the new Rodri, it is what it is.”
The City manager noted that Rodri had not achieved the highest honours in football when he first arrived at the club.
“Before Rodri arrived here, he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or, he didn’t win the Champions League, he didn’t win the Club World Cup.
“He joined the club, then he achieved many important things,” Maresca said.
Rodri made nearly 300 appearances for City before leaving with one year remaining on his contract after an extension failed to materialise.
Maresca said City had previously replaced several key players successfully, citing David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Erling Haaland and Fernandinho.
“When David Silva was here, everyone was worried, and Kevin [De Bruyne] arrived,” he said.
“When Sergio [Aguero] was here, everyone was worried [about] when he was going to leave and Erling [Haaland] arrived. Fernandinho? Rodri arrived.”
He added: “When they leave, you need to be good in recruiting the next one.”
“They are all similar: David, Kevin, Fernandinho, Rodri, Erling. It is normal, it is change, it is not a problem. Go again and try to do the right things.”
Rodri’s departure leaves City needing to identify another midfielder capable of eventually filling the role occupied by the former Spain international.
(The Sun)