Will City miss Rodri? - Not as much as you think.
When Pep Guardiola announced he was leaving Manchester City the rest of the Premier League breathed a huge sigh of relief. For 10 years the blue side of Manchester had dominated under his leadership, only occasionally relinquishing the title for the odd year here and there. Immediately winning it back the following year.
City fans had cause for concern. They'd seen United's catastrophic efforts to replace their most successful manager, Alex Ferguson, so knew history guaranteed nothing in the future. Their fears were compounded when their midfield stalwart, and World Cup player of the tournament, Rodri announced he was going home to Barcelona.
He signing of Elliot Anderson from Forest, one of the best holding midfielders in the Pre last season, eased some concerns but should they really be selling Rodri's natural replacement, Nico Gonzalez, to Newcastle. Then Nathan Ake. Then Savinho and Reijnders. Dont forget Bernardo's gone and Doku is injured. Whats happening?
The chasing pack raised a cautionary eyebrow and perhaps a smile at these departures, particularly with the transfer deadline date fast approaching.
Maybe now it really was someone else's turn? Perhaps Arsenal, Liverpool or even Chelsea but probably not United and definitely not Tottenham. Perhaps now these team's fans would no longer have to cross their fingers and declare '115 charges' and 'Northern Prem for City', as justification for their team's inability to compete with Pep's all conquering side.
But City had a plan. And it wasn't to play Marc Geuhi in midfield, which didn't work in the opening fixture. They had the money, and they were going to spend it.
Their desire to capture Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea was no secret, but this didnt worry anyone. Many remembered his first season at the London club where he far from justified the huge price tag they had paid.
But then Chelsea changed their manager. Again. And Fernandez's new boss changed his position slightly which allowed him to play more to his strengths. The difference was remarkable and he became a key player in Chelsea's side and instrumental in many of their victories that season.
The man who did this was Enzo Maresca. His new boss at City.
Brazil's manager, Carlo Ancelotti, described the young Moroccan midfielder, Ayyoub Bouaddi, as the best midfielder on the pitch, following their match at the World Cup. Many others have praised the 18 year old's midfield performances for his former club, Lille. Maresca insists he has not bought a 'squad' player and has plans for him to play a big part this season.
As the deadline approached, they also swooped for the highly rated winger Iliman Ndiaye from Everton. A more than adequate replacement for the inconsistent Savinho.
Lets also not forget, these four new players are joining the likes of Cherki, Foden, Doku, Semenyo and Kovacic in midfield.
So will City miss Rodri? Of course they will. He is a world class midfield player who served the Blues well.
Is City's midfield stronger than last year. You know what - I think it might be.
