16 | Rodri - 2021/22 Performances

[oldius]

As I've said before, Rodri looks like he fits the bill when we're flat track bullying dross, but there are still glimpses of some major weaknesses to his game even then.

We had 80% possession against a garbage 10 man Arsenal on the weekend, and the consensus seems to be that he played really well.

Despite that overwhelming dominance we had against Arsenal, Rodri still got turned about 3 or 4 times leaving us exposed at the back. Perfect example of that here, 15 seconds in:



This happens every single week with Rodri, and it's genuinely alarming. In the tightly contested fixtures against the better sides this gets punished, and we've seen it before time and time again. You get tested more out of possession and those flaws will be exposed.

It's a big weakness for us as far as I'm concerned, especially with Fernandinho's age. This position is a worry, and I fail to see how anyone else can honestly say otherwise.

There is no player on the pitch that you wouldn't be able to highlight an error for in a game or several games. Anyone with a fair lens would be able to find far more displays of outstanding quality, however. The stats tell us that Rodri is one of the very best midfielders in the league. Naturally, therefore, I disagree with you. As for Fern's replacement, hopefully, Lavia will fit that bill. Eventually, I hope that Rodri will be able to convince the small number of posters that remain scornful of his quality.

 

[skillman]

He's class. We were spoilt by Fernandinho for years but you won't find a player who can do what he did - other than maybe Fabinho at the scousers.

Rodri is brilliant at most, if not all, things he's asked to do. And he's got an absolute thunderbastard of a shot.

 

[Phil Mitchell Foden]

There is no player on the pitch that you wouldn't be able to highlight an error for in a game or several games. Anyone with a fair lens would be able to find far more displays of outstanding quality, however. The stats tell us that Rodri is one of the very best midfielders in the league. Naturally, therefore, I disagree with you. As for Fern's replacement, hopefully, Lavia will fit that bill. Eventually, I hope that Rodri will be able to convince the small number of posters that remain scornful of his quality.

That would be true were it a single error, maybe two, it's not. It was several against Arsenal, in a game where they had 19% possession. It's indicative of a weakness in Rodri's game. They're not isolated errors, they're flaws to his game. We've seen this consistently in his time at the club, even when in the grand scheme of things he otherwise played well, like on Saturday.

It's not about unfairly coming for players either, so the "scornful" remark is an odd one. It's coming from a concern about a potential problem position, and I believe it is.

 

[oldius]

That would be true were it a single error, maybe two, it's not. It was several against Arsenal, in a game where they had 19% possession. It's indicative of a weakness in Rodri's game. They're not isolated errors, they're flaws to his game. We've seen this consistently in his time at the club, even when in the grand scheme of things he otherwise played well, like on Saturday.

It's not about unfairly coming for players either, so the "scornful" remark is an odd one. It's coming from a concern about a potential problem position, and I believe it is.

The scornful phrase reflects the comments of a small number of posters in this thread; it is as much about the language used as it is about the critique.

We disagree, and that's fine, but I would simply say that a team that wins a league and a cup and qualifies for the champions league final does not have a weak player as a central midfielder. It may have one that you don't like as much as another but, objectively, they have to be a high-quality player.

 

[Phil Mitchell Foden]

The scornful phrase reflects the comments of a small number of posters in this thread; it is as much about the language used as it is about the critique.

We disagree, and that's fine, but I would simply say that a team that wins a league and a cup and qualifies for the champions league final does not have a weak player as a central midfielder. It may have one that you don't like as much as another but, objectively, they have to be a high-quality player.

Or that the dominance of the side is so great that Rodri's weaknesses are usually compensated for more often than not.

Just of the opinion that in a more competitive league season those margins are smaller and such weaknesses will prove more costly. We can agree to disagree though like you said.

 

[oldius]

Or that the dominance of the side is so great that Rodri's weaknesses are usually compensated for more often than not.

Just of the opinion that in a more competitive league season those margins are smaller and such weaknesses will prove more costly. We can agree to disagree though like you said.

A dominant team is a blend of strengths and weaknesses. You could argue that Rodri often winning the ball back compensates for a KDB misplaced pass or Rhiyad's occasional failure to track back or Raz not beating his man. Every player in the team helps another to be a better player and that's why we slaughtered PSG last season - we are a team, it is not about the individual. We have one of the best teams in European football and Rodri is a key component.

 

[Dax777]

Jorginho has a much, much, much better passing range than Rodri.

I'm a big Rodri fan but I can also recognise the strengths in others. Some of the passes Jorginho plays are insane.

Not just a much better passing range. But a superior decision making brain. He is one of the hardest footballers in world football to press.

 

[FromPollockToSilva]

Not just a much better passing range. But a superior decision making brain. He is one of the hardest footballers in world football to press.

Agree with this, but important to remember he is 4.5 years older than Rodri, so some of that decision making is based on having more experience

 

[Phil Mitchell Foden]

A dominant team is a blend of strengths and weaknesses. You could argue that Rodri often winning the ball back compensates for a KDB misplaced pass or Rhiyad's occasional failure to track back or Raz not beating his man. Every player in the team helps another to be a better player and that's why we slaughtered PSG last season - we are a team, it is not about the individual. We have one of the best teams in European football and Rodri is a key component.

I disagree though, Rodri doesn't win the ball a lot. It's one of his biggest weaknesses, it just rarely gets exposed as we dominate possession so often.

We'll have to agree to disagree, I don't see Rodri as a key component. You could argue he is, but it's only due to his lack of competition for the place, rather than any overwhelming contribution to the side. IMO, at least.

 

[oldius]

I disagree though, Rodri doesn't win the ball a lot. It's one of his biggest weaknesses, it just rarely gets exposed as we dominate possession so often.

We'll have to agree to disagree, I don't see Rodri as a key component. You could argue he is, but it's only due to his lack of competition for the place, rather than any overwhelming contribution to the side. IMO, at least.

I am pretty sure that he makes more interceptions than any PL midfielder. Hopefully, someone will provide that information.

 

[MCFCFanTX]

I disagree though, Rodri doesn't win the ball a lot. It's one of his biggest weaknesses, it just rarely gets exposed as we dominate possession so often.

We'll have to agree to disagree, I don't see Rodri as a key component. You could argue he is, but it's only due to his lack of competition for the place, rather than any overwhelming contribution to the side. IMO, at least.

Over the last year or so:

42.4% of successful dribbles tackled (90th percentile)
37% successful pressure percentage (98th percentile)
** Defined as the percentage the squad wins the ball back within 5 secs of pressure
76.9% aerial win percentage (99th percentile)
12.88 ball recoveries (96th percentile)

Even with using basic stats, Rodri does that part of his job well enough.

Add that to his borderline elite possession, passing and press resistant rates, he's not a weakness.

 

[Phil Mitchell Foden]

Over the last year or so:

42.4% of successful dribbles tackled (90th percentile)
37% successful pressure percentage (98th percentile)
** Defined as the percentage the squad wins the ball back within 5 secs of pressure
76.9% aerial win percentage (99th percentile)
12.88 ball recoveries (96th percentile)

Even with using basic stats, Rodri does that part of his job well enough.

Add that to his borderline elite possession, passing and press resistant rates, he's not a weakness.

Source for those stats? Some of them are collective team stats? Fail to see how you can include them.

90th percentile for successful dribbles tackled as a defensive mid poor, especially given he usually only commits to duels he's favourite for, and often still gets done. Getting successfully dribbled past 58% of the time is really poor. I fail to see how you highlight that as a positive, he's literally a holding mid in front of the back four, his job is to win the ball and make interceptions when we're out of possession.

 

[MCFCFanTX]

Source for those stats? Some of them are collective team stats? Fail to see how you can include them.

90th percentile for successful dribbles tackled as a defensive mid poor, especially given he usually only commits to duels he's favourite for, and often still gets done. Getting successfully dribbled past 58% of the time is really poor. I fail to see how you highlight that as a positive, he's literally a holding mid in front of the back four, his job is to win the ball and make interceptions when we're out of possession.

Over the last 365 days

Kante- 47.9%
Kimmich- 30.9%
Busquets- 38.5%
Casemiro- 37.4%
Ndidi- 40.2%
Fernandinho- 34.0%

In the same time, Rodri was 42.4% over the past year. Yeah, he's no Kante but he's not "really poor."

 

[super_city_si]

Rodri does break up plays, does prevent counter attacks, does link up play from deep in both halves, maybe Pep has a broader opinion of his role and plays him because he fulfils the role Pep sees. At his best Ferna was much more than a midfield destroyer and much more than what you term a "so-called DM".

I actually think its one of the things he's best at (breaking up play) and its often high up the pitch. He causes so many turnovers in the opposing third.

 

[super_city_si]

I disagree though, Rodri doesn't win the ball a lot. It's one of his biggest weaknesses, it just rarely gets exposed as we dominate possession so often.

We'll have to agree to disagree, I don't see Rodri as a key component. You could argue he is, but it's only due to his lack of competition for the place, rather than any overwhelming contribution to the side. IMO, at least.

Do you know which one in our team is actually Rodri?

 

[Phil Mitchell Foden]

Over the last 365 days

Kante- 47.9%
Kimmich- 30.9%
Busquets- 38.5%
Casemiro- 37.4%
Ndidi- 40.2%
Fernandinho- 34.0%

In the same time, Rodri was 42.4% over the past year. Yeah, he's no Kante but he's not "really poor."

Still haven't provided a source mate.

And like I said, stats don't tell the whole picture. Rodri rarely gets involved in physical tussles or one v one battles, usually only doing so when he's favourite, as otherwise he usually comes off second best.

No-one is going to tell me he's a more successful challenger of the ball than Casemiro or Fernandinho.

 

[oldius]

Source Premier League Player Stats - Passes

Midfield Stats - 2020-2021

In passes last season - Rodri #1
Headed interceptions - Rodri #5
Touches - Rodri #2
Tackles - Rodri #19
Dispossessed - Rodri #48

Now, given we have the highest possession in the league, to be 19th of all midfielders in tackles won yet 48th in dispossessed is outstanding. He is 5th in midfield appearances, has the most passes, the 2nd most touches, the 5th most headed interceptions.

I have now given a source and data for all midfielders for a whole season. If your opinion is still fixed, we can leave it there.

 

[MCFCFanTX]

Still haven't provided a source mate.

And like I said, stats don't tell the whole picture. Rodri rarely gets involved in physical tussles or one v one battles, usually only doing so when he's favourite, as otherwise he usually comes off second best.

No-one is going to tell me he's a more successful challenger of the ball than Casemiro or Fernandinho.

You can go by your eye test with no statistical evidence or backing and that's your right.

You can use any number of statistical platforms out there to find rate based stats for footballers. Rotowire, squawka, fbref, whoscored, sofifa, opta, etc.

 

[Phil Mitchell Foden]

You can go by your eye test with no statistical evidence or backing and that's your right.

You can use any number of statistical platforms out there to find rate based stats for footballers.

Or you can highlight numbers that could be entirely made up and not cite your source.

Legitimate stats are worthless without the eye test. They'd have you believing Fred was a better passer of the ball than De Bruyne because his average percentage complete was higher. Patently nonsense.

 

[FromPollockToSilva]

Or you can highlight numbers that could be entirely made up and not cite your source.

Legitimate stats are worthless without the eye test. They'd have you believing Fred was a better passer of the ball than De Bruyne because his average percentage complete was higher. Patently nonsense.

Sure, you need to actually watch the games as well as look at the stats. But when people (not talking about you in particular here) are making claims based on what they think they remember that are categorically untrue ("Rodri only passes backwards" is a good example), it's useful to get some objective data points in the mix