EPL: Man City to find new Rodri, says Maresca

n n

Manchester City will look to find a new Rodri following the Spain international’s departure for Barcelona, manager Enzo Maresca has said.

n

Rodri left City earlier this week after seven seasons at the Etihad Stadium, joining La Liga champions Barcelona in a deal reportedly worth around £65 million.

n

The 30-year-old midfielder signed a four-year contract with Barcelona after becoming one of the world’s leading players during his time in Manchester.

n

Rodri won four Premier League titles with City and scored the only goal in the 2023 Champions League final. He also won the 2024 Ballon d’Or and helped Spain win the World Cup during the summer.

n

As reported by BBC Sport on Sunday, when asked how City would replace such an influential player, Maresca said, “We try to find the new Rodri, it is what it is.”

n

The City manager pointed out that Rodri had not yet reached the highest levels of the game when he initially joined the club.

n

“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.

n

“He joined the club, then he achieved many important things,” Maresca said.

n

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

n

Maresca said City’s history showed that the club had successfully replaced key players over the years.

n

“When David Silva was here, everyone was worried, and Kevin [De Bruyne] arrived,” he said.

n

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

n

Maresca said City must continue to recruit well whenever important players depart.

n

“When they leave, you need to be good in recruiting the next one,” he added.

n

“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.”

n n