Manchester City midfielder Rodri put on a clinic in the World Cup semi-final as he helped Spain to cruise past favourites France
Rodri was the best player as Spain beat France
Manchester City had a number of golden rules for players in recent years that served them well for giving Pep Guardiola the squad he wanted. The club have generally refused to pay over their internal valuations for targets irrespective of how much they are needed, and have inserted clauses into a number of sales that have generated additional revenue.
Arguably the most important though has been that there should be no unhappy players in the squad. If anybody wants to leave and can bring a good offer to the table, City have nearly always accepted it because the feeling was that Guardiola needed everybody in his squad to be fully committed for his plans to work.
That has seen some quality players depart, from Ferran Torres and Julian Alvarez to Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez. All could have carried on playing for City and all have represented their country at this summer’s World Cup, yet they wanted a move and they were granted one.
It almost never happens that City refuse exits, but after Rodri’s masterclass against France on Tuesday night it is difficult to see how they could possibly sell him. Even with less than a year left on his contract and even if he will not sign an extension, it is hard to put a price that would justify getting rid of a man who once again looks like the best midfielder in the world; and, given Guardiola predicted this would happen, it is hard to think City did not expect it either.
There are some who would not want to keep a player if they do not want to renew, and that is understandable. It is also fair to expect that there will be a queue of suitors for Rodri at the end of the World Cup – especially if Spain go on to win another major tournament, and not many would bet against them now.
For City though, what were three options in play for Rodri have surely now reduced to two after his return to his best this summer. The best case is that he signs the new deal that he has been offered, yet failing that one more year of him feels far better than any fee that would take him to a rival club.
To say there is so much uncertainty over City’s midfield ahead of the new season, in Rodri and Elliot Anderson they have had two of the best players in any position at the World Cup. That could be the difference between winning the Premier League or the Champions League this season or not, and with City already holding those cards it would be crazy to throw one of them away.
A difficult situation with Rodri has become more straightforward.
