How would you assess Rodri's season?

[Citizen Green]

So Rodri, our big summer signing of 2019 in a position that was crying out for reinforcement.

How would you all assess his first season? Clearly a very astute footballer with good tactical awareness and positioning, however I do feel he would be better with a combative midfielder in there with him in the Fernandinho mold.

I think one of City's biggest issues this past season has been the reduction in our press intensity since the loss of Ferna to the defense, hence teams can play out and get at us easier than in previous seasons. That's not just on Ferna though, the likes of Mahrez who have played more this year don't really have that side of the game in their locker, and yes there is a skill to it.

In short I feel Rodri has been a good signing, and is definitely one for the more tactical chess matches, such as the Bernabeu, but feel he needs some support in there with him in the Prem (not Gundo!) I'm excited to watch him develop over the coming seasons.

 

[Blu1]

A good season but not great. Not helped with having no centre back. Will judge him next season

 

[typicalcity...]

Completely agree with what you say.
Good solid midfielder and astute in some tactical situations like the European games you mention.

just dont think he’s agile enough to press and seems to be run past easily. Player like Auour (sp?) would do him a world of good.

 

[Manchester33]

He's no way near to prime Fernandinho in that role.

Most of our players don't do as well in their first year under Pep, so hopefully, he's better next season.

I think he's a bit big and sluggish, but what do I know.

 

[PannickAtTheDisco]

mediocre.

Pep trying to take us to his Barca ideal and we drop 17 points down the table. He's not mobile enough, we needed a Fernandinho replacement not a wannabe Busquets.

 

[domalino]

When he's played as the lone 6 with pressing midfielders ahead of him, he's been very good.

When he's played with no legs in front of him, he's been exposed and bypassed.

When he's played in a double pivot he's been OK, but the pairing of him and Gundogan is inherently flawed.


Next season I think he'll be excellent.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Slow.

 

[ManCitizens.]

6.5/10

 

[Manchester_lalala]

He’s a good player but needs to improve next season. His manager needs to help him by picking midfielders that can press teams.

 

[nmc]

Done okay, reads the game quite well, passing is good - just needs to get used to the pace of the game in England and maybe learn a few ‘dark arts‘ from Fern.

 

[zepenedo]

He'll become great. Put a great LB, Laporte, Koulibaly and Walker behind him and Bernardo and KDB in front of him, you'll see.

 

[paulchapo]

6/10. Not quick or mobile enough for me or the system we play so it seems a bit odd we bought him.

 

[GX Blue]

He’s slow and isn’t right for the role we need.

Every time we beam someone 5-0 and he has all the time in the world, we get these people bragging about his completed passes and stats etc... annoys me. When it comes to quicker more intense games he’s not good enough.

He’s got a great attitude and a great passer but he isn’t mobile and soon as Pep leaves the new manager will replace him. Save this post!

He’s a another downgrade from the centurions.

Fernandinho to Rodri has been one of the main reason we aren’t what we were.

 

[meldrew]

Can see the idea behind buying him, however he's massively exposed when played with Gundogan as they are too familiar in style and pace.

Needs to be played with pace in the middle and this is when he shines.

 

[Keeper!]

Difficult but showed his class.

Always going to be tough for a young guy in a different country, culture and league.

He will be a wonderful long term asset and future captain material.

 

[babyape]

Big season coming up for him. We have been utterly spoiled in that position for years tho.

Dinho, for me, is the best in the business in that role. Bar none.

 

[Gabriel]

Third behind only Sterling and de Bruyne for minutes played by an outfielder, which given that was his first season in the league is quite an achievement. Not sure who would have been the last player to come from abroad and have settled so quickly.

Norwich away must have been a real wake up call for him in respect to the pressing work rate of his teammates. Fresh legs behind and ahead of him will be of benefit next year.

 

[Airbags Optional]

There is a thread in player performance Le for Rodders

 

[Phil1]

Genuinely undecided about him. Looks like a Rolls Royce of a player some weeks and then other weeks he's looked like a fish out of water. His mobility and pace concern me but that can be offset if the team around him is full of energy and running, which unfortunately doesn't include Gundogan who exposes him further.
Would give him a 6 out of 10 this time around.

 

[its a Barm]

6/10 so an average season, next season is important for his future at the club, the first season at a new club in a new country is always difficult.