Maresca says Manchester City must replace Rodri after Barca move

Manchester City must find a successor to Rodri after the Spain international left the club for Barcelona, manager Enzo Maresca has said. The 30-year-old defensive midfielder’s departure removes a central figure from City’s midfield after seven seasons at the Etihad Stadium.

Maresca said City would look for another player who can eventually take on Rodri’s importance. He also stressed that Rodri had not won football’s highest individual and club honours before joining City, but developed into a leading player during his time with the English side.

Rodri won four Premier League titles, the 2023 Champions League and the 2024 Ballon d’Or with City. His exit came after an extension to his contract did not materialise, leaving the club with the task of replacing a player who had become central to its midfield structure.

Maresca pointed to City’s previous succession planning as evidence that the club has dealt with similar departures before. David Silva was followed by Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero by Erling Haaland, and Fernandinho by Rodri. The manager’s view is that major changes to the squad are part of football and should be addressed through recruitment.

Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid after beginning his senior career at Villarreal. His listed market value is €55 million, while his player profile records previous groin and hamstring injuries. The immediate issue for City, however, is identifying a midfielder capable of replacing his influence after the move to Barcelona.

Maresca said the club must repeat its earlier success in finding successors to important players. City’s next recruitment decision will therefore focus on filling the defensive midfield role that Rodri occupied before his Barcelona switch.