Manchester City Head Coach Enzo Maresca Hails Rodri As Irreplaceable: “Any Manager In The World Wants Him”
Speaking at the City Football Academy on Monday ahead of City’s busy schedule, Maresca was full of praise for his midfield general who has just returned from a long injury layoff.
Manchester City Midfielder Rodri. Phoo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Manchester City Head Coach Enzo Maresca has described midfielder Rodri as the most important player in his squad, insisting that any manager in world football would want the Spanish maestro in their team.
Speaking at the City Football Academy on Monday ahead of City’s busy schedule, Maresca was full of praise for his midfield general who has just returned from a long injury layoff.
“It’s very important. Any manager in the world wants Rodri because he’s a top player; so it’s important for me, the club and for everyone,” Maresca said.
The Italian, who took over as Manchester City Head Coach after the departure of Pep Guardiola, knows Rodri better than most. Maresca worked closely with the midfielder during his previous spell as Guardiola’s assistant and as manager of City’s Elite Development Squad, and he has now made the 29-year-old the cornerstone of his new-look City side.
Maresca’s comments underline just how vital Rodri is to Manchester City’s system. Since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Rodri has evolved into arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world, winning four consecutive Premier League titles, a Champions League, and the 2024 Ballon d’Or. City’s dramatic dip in form during his eight-month absence with an ACL injury last season proved beyond doubt that he is irreplaceable.
The City boss, however, stressed that he must manage the Spaniard carefully now that he is back, with City set to play every three days across the Premier League, Champions League, and the expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
“But now, he needs his holiday – that’s very important when we start to play every three days…” Maresca explained, confirming that Rodri will be given a full summer break before pre-season to fully recover physically and mentally.
Maresca’s man-management of Rodri has been widely praised by fans and pundits. Rather than rushing him back, the Italian coach has gradually reintroduced him, using him in controlled minutes to avoid a relapse.
The former Leicester City boss is now building his Manchester City team around Rodri’s unique ability to control the tempo, break up opposition attacks, and start City’s build-up play from deep. Under Maresca, City are expected to be even more dominant in possession, with Rodri acting as the brain of the team.
With Kevin De Bruyne ageing and several senior players leaving, Maresca sees Rodri not just as a player, but as a leader and the future captain of his Manchester City project.
“Having Rodri is like having a coach on the pitch. He understands the game, he understands what we want, and he makes everyone around him better,” Maresca concluded.
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