Man City begin search for ‘new Rodri’ after Barcelona move

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed the club will search for a replacement for Rodri following the Spain international’s move to Barcelona.

Rodri ended his seven-year spell at the Etihad Stadium earlier this week, joining Barcelona in a deal reportedly worth about £65 million.

The 30-year-old midfielder leaves City after making nearly 300 appearances and winning four Premier League titles, the 2023 Champions League and the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Asked how City would replace a player of Rodri’s influence, Maresca said the club would look for another midfielder capable of developing into a similar figure.

“We try to find the new Rodri, it is what it is,” Maresca said.

The manager pointed out that Rodri had not arrived at City as an established winner of football’s biggest individual and team honours.

“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 said.

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

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Rodri’s departure comes with one year remaining on his contract after negotiations over an extension failed to produce an agreement.

Maresca said City had successfully navigated similar transitions in the past, replacing several influential players with stars who eventually became key figures themselves.

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

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

He added that the challenge was to maintain the club’s recruitment standards whenever a major player departs.

“When they leave, you need to be good at recruiting the next one,” Maresca said.

“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.”

Rodri’s exit leaves City with a major recruitment challenge as the club seeks a midfielder capable of eventually filling the leadership, defensive and creative responsibilities that made the Spaniard central to its success.