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Published on 2024-02-16 17:30:00
Gary Lineker has praised Manchester City midfielder Rodri, comparing his playing style to that of Pep Guardiola during his career as a player.
Rodri, who is in his fifth season with City, is determined to help the team regain the three trophies they won last season. In a recent Champions League match against Copenhagen, Rodri’s standout performance earned him high praise from Lineker.
In a recent edition of The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker lauded Rodri’s abilities, describing him as a perfect holding midfielder who excels both on and off the ball.
He said: “Just a perfect holding-midfield player. He’s brilliant off the ball, exceptional on the ball, he just manages everything on the field, probably like Pep did when he played, he was that kind of player as well.”
Guardiola, during his time at Barcelona, made 384 senior appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals and providing 52 assists.
Jordi Cruyff, speaking about Guardiola’s playing style, highlighted his mastery of angles, adeptness in playing in two touches, and his ability to find players between the lines with vertical passes.
He said: “Guardiola was a master of angles; he was very good in playing in two touches; control with the left, passing and trying to find players between the lines. He always had a vertical pass.”
In this season’s Premier League, Rodri has made more progressive passes than any other City player, showcasing his style of play, which mirrors that of Guardiola.
With 30 games under his belt this season, Rodri has proven to be a crucial player for Guardiola’s team. The similarities between Rodri’s playing style and Guardiola’s style during his playing career have undoubtedly caught the attention of football fans.
The comparison between Rodri and Guardiola’s style of play is testament to the impact Rodri has had at City. His performance as a holding midfielder has been crucial to City’s success this season, and the praise from Lineker speaks volumes about the talent and skill that Rodri brings to the team.
Overall, as Rodri continues to make his mark at Manchester City, the similarities between his playing style and that of Guardiola’s during his playing career have not gone unnoticed. It’s clear that Rodri has the potential to leave a lasting legacy at the club, much like his esteemed predecessor.
Read Original article on Manchester City News
