Real Madrid's hierarchy has shown a pronounced fascination with this summer's World Cup, so much so that they have accelerated their pursuit of Spain's prized midfielder Rodri, moving the target date up by a full year. The Manchester City stalwart, who would have been free to leave on a Bosman move after twelve months, is now being chased by the Spanish giants much earlier than they originally intended, and the sentiment appears to be mutual. In March, Rodri appeared on a Spanish radio programme and openly expressed his longing to return to LaLiga, stating, "You can't turn down the best clubs in the world." City have been transparent about their desire to keep the player by offering an improved contract, yet the former Atlético Madrid man seems to have his heart set on a homecoming to his native city. His long‑standing appeal to Los Blancos has been amplified by his recent performances for the Spanish national side, where he has emerged as a quietly brilliant figure.
Manager José Mourinho values seasoned campaigners in his core, and Rodri fits the rare mould of a player who has collected every major trophy available. Manchester City, meanwhile, have already broken their own transfer record to acquire Elliot Anderson. While Anderson is not an immediate, one‑for‑one replacement, his potential is undeniable. From a purely business perspective, extracting a sizeable fee for a player in his early thirties with just a year left on a non‑renewed contract makes sense, even if the club feels a pang of reluctance.
City’s recent transfer policy has required a cold, calculated approach when dealing with players who are nearing the end of their cycles. Knowing when to let go – as they have recently done with Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and John Stones – has been essential to their ability to refresh the squad. In Rodri’s case, securing a transfer fee would be the silver lining of an otherwise painful departure. The financial aspect cannot be ignored.
Despite his age, a recent injury record and the fact that he cannot comfortably play three games a week, Rodri is still widely regarded as the most complete central midfielder to have graced the Premier League in the last five years. Pep Guardiola has repeatedly called him "the best midfielder in the world by far," a testament to the impact he has had on City’s style of play.
Under Guardiola, the team’s in‑play rhythm has revolved around Rodri’s ability to receive the ball in tight spaces, dictate tempo and control the tempo of matches. His influence was evident for Spain during the World Cup, where he helped the side dominate possession and dictate the flow of games. No current player can replicate the way Rodri conditions a match, and it is no coincidence that City missed out on the Premier League title in the two seasons when he was sidelined by injury.
So how will they fill the void? The short answer is: they won’t find a perfect clone. However, Elliot Anderson offers a surrogate of sorts.
The 23‑year‑old England international may not yet possess the dictatorial presence of Rodri, but he is developing into a box‑to‑box midfielder whose statistical output suggests he could become a comparable figure. His efficiency in possession will be bolstered by the experienced teammates around him, allowing him to grow into a more progressive role that aligns with City’s possession‑based philosophy. Rodri’s signature strength has been his line‑breaking passes, a skill set that is crucial against the tightly packed defenses of the Premier League. Anderson will need to broaden his passing repertoire to emulate Rodri’s range, but his off‑the‑ball work is already impressive, and head coach Enzo Maresca will likely be pleased with his coachability.
Still, City will need to recruit additional talent to fully plug the Rodri gap – perhaps more than one player. The club has already begun to implement a formula for reducing reliance on him, a process that started after his ACL injury in 2024. In fact, the blueprint for a Rodri‑less City has been taking shape for some time.
Bernardo Silva’s industriousness was a key component, while several stand‑ins – Tijjani Reijnders, Nico González and Nico O’Reilly – provided valuable cover last season. Those options remain available to Maresca, but the question remains whether they represent a short‑term patch or a long‑term strategic shift.
Anderson shares a similarity with Rodri in that he covers the ground of two midfielders. At Nottingham Forest he was supported by Ibrahim Sangaré, and Maresca prefers to operate with a double‑pivot: a traditional No 6 paired with a more adventurous No 8. This system could allow City to maintain balance while gradually transitioning away from the singular anchor role that Rodri occupied. Looking beyond the English market, Lille’s 18‑year‑old Ayyoub Bouaddi could be an intriguing prospect.
The young French‑Moroccan showcased a blend of technical skill, ball‑carrying ability and physical strength during his six World Cup appearances for Morocco. His performances suggested he possesses the attributes required for Premier League football, and City have reportedly been monitoring him closely.
Rodri’s uniqueness lies in his anticipation of opponents’ movements, enabling him to win possession through intelligent positioning rather than relying solely on tackles. This ability allows City to retain control, momentum and possession, keeping opponents pinned back in the measured style favoured by Guardiola. Maresca, however, may favour a slightly more direct approach, using the pace of wingers to stretch the pitch and accelerate the build‑up phase.
This would place a greater physical demand on the central midfielders, who would need to hustle more aggressively, but it would also reduce the reliance on pure passing virtuosity. In practice, Anderson could still operate from deep, but he would be surrounded by technically gifted players who can share the creative burden. The team could adopt a more expansive shape, creating zones for the midfielders to exploit rather than forcing them to always play the ball into tight feet. Maresca has never managed a side with a player of Rodri’s stature at its core, so his tactical blueprint must evolve.
It is likely that City will adopt a higher‑pressing, more proactive system to dominate territory higher up the pitch, compensating for the loss of Rodri’s calm, controlling presence. The departure of a player who combines tactical intelligence with a subtle, wily edge is a double blow – not only does the club lose its best controller, but also a seasoned veteran whose mean streak could intimidate opponents. Bernardo Silva’s exit is equally significant. He was Guardiola’s "favourite one" because of his deep tactical understanding and adaptability to any system or game state.
Yet City have navigated similar transitions before: life after Sergio Agüero, continued success after Yaya Touré’s departure, and titles won following David Silva’s exit. The club’s culture of evolving beyond star players offers optimism.
Anderson now faces immense pressure to fill Rodri’s shoes, but he possesses the credentials to thrive. While he will miss the chance to refine his game alongside one of the world’s best, he gains the opportunity to step into a leading role and perhaps become one of the elite midfielders himself. In the end, Manchester City’s ability to adapt, recruit wisely and adjust their tactical approach will determine whether they can sustain their dominance without Rodri at the heart of their midfield.