Skip to main content

The Traffic NG

Rodri

Manchester City manager, Enzo Maresca, has confirmed that the club will actively look to find a replacement for star midfielder Rodri, following the Spain international’s massive departure for Barcelona.

Rodri officially left the Premier League champions earlier this week after seven highly decorated seasons at the Etihad Stadium. The 30-year-old midfield maestro joined La Liga champions Barcelona in a marquee deal reportedly worth around £65 million, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract.

During his unforgettable stint in Manchester, Rodri evolved into one of the world’s leading players. He won four Premier League titles, famously scored the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final, claimed the 2024 Ballon d’Or, and heavily contributed to Spain’s World Cup triumph during the summer.

When asked how Manchester City would manage to replace such an influential figure, Maresca offered a pragmatic response. “We try to find the new Rodri, it is what it is,” he told BBC Sport on Sunday.

The City manager astutely pointed out that Rodri had not yet reached the pinnacle of the sport when he initially signed for 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,” Maresca explained. “He joined the club, then he achieved many important things.”

Rodri made nearly 300 appearances for City and was entering the final year of his contract when he departed. While the club had offered him an extension, protracted negotiations ultimately failed to produce an agreement.

Maresca remained highly optimistic, emphasizing that Manchester City’s modern history demonstrates the club’s consistent ability to successfully replace irreplaceable players.

READ ALSO: APC Constitutes 2027 Presidential Campaign Council

“When David Silva was here, everyone was worried, and Kevin [De Bruyne] arrived,” he noted. “When Sergio [Aguero] was here, everyone was worried about when he was going to leave and Erling [Haaland] arrived. Fernandinho? Rodri arrived.”

The manager concluded that City must trust its recruitment system to find the next generation of stars. “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.”