16 | Rodri 2025/26

Just as nobody can create chances like Kevin or score goals like Erling, nobody can elevate the performance of the team like Rodri. The former can win you games and titles, Rodri can win you the Treble and 4 in a row.

Because Rodri's game doesn't *seem* to involve genius, he's been underrated (in comparison to other City or PL greats). But one needs to understand the game at a genius level to play like him. Gerrard, for example, didn't have Rodri's brain and couldn't link everything together. And Scholes was levels below Rodri in the defensive aspects of the game.

He fits Cruyff's definition of technique perfectly: "Technique is passing the ball with one touch, with the right speed, at the right foot of your team mate".

Whether this or next season, Rodri will be amongst the very best again.
 
Surprised how good he looked considering how little he's played

When he came back from his big injury, even his simple passing was a bit all over the place, which is understandable.

Last night he looked like he hadn't been away. I'm sure we weren't intending to have him play that many minutes but it's probably not a bad thing.


I do like Gonzalez though. He shouldn't feel his days as a starter are numbered when Rodri is fully back. There's games where they can both play. Gonzalez operated as more of an 8 before joining us, so I am sure he can play alongside Rodri.
 
He's the dogs bollocks.

Sniffing danger, making interceptions, always in and around the area of the ball for second balls, diagonal passes, breaking lines with passes...

All the things Nico Gonzalez doesn't have, Nico has done a job for us whilst Rodri has been away but the contrast between two are chalk and cheese.
 
One of the most reassuring things about last night was that he seemed much more comfortable with his knee. He looked understandably apprehensive on his previous return(s), but last night he wasn't shying away from the physical side of things. I think last night will have given him a lot of confidence moving forward. He was a level above everyone else on the pitch in the second half, which is pretty remarkable considering how long he's been out.
 
The best in the world. Completely transforms the way we can play. Everyone in attacking areas can commit to their position or look for gaps because he is the metronome behind them creating the outball, spreading the play which enables us to use the width of the pitch and stretch the opposition.

When we're under pressure at the back he can just turn and release it with a pass through the lines which inevitably actually leads to the opposition being wary of doing it which helps us box them in. Sunderland went from going toe to toe with us to dropping off and looking to counter instead. That second half was more like what we used to watch week in week out for 90 minutes. All because of one man.
 
He looked more like his old self last night. At the start of the season during his initial return he looked incredibly rusty. None of that last night.

Hopefully we can get him up and running from here, and get that contract sorted please!
 
waspish said:
Gonzales done great for us but that second half by Rodri shows the actual difference in quality with the two as a number six! Would an Anderson be a level up to Gonzales? Not sure Rodri is levels above all midfielders!
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Anderson is so we have 3 who can rotate in those 2 positions. The one that Nico playa and the one currently being played by Bernado.
 
Exeter Blue I am here said:
Well though Gonzalez has done holding the fort, the difference last night after Rodders came on was palpable. For a man making his first start in months, he was magnificent
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When he receives the ball facing his own goal and his back to the opposition goal then you know he feels confident to turn on that knee and spread the ball wide or pass the ball short or through lines. I haven't seen him in that familiar posture in what? 18 months?
 
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