Manchester City’s recent 2-0 triumph over Porto in the Champions League offered a clear illustration that the club’s midfield depth is now sufficient to compensate for the gradual loss of Rodri’s influence. Enzo Maresca, who has taken charge of the side, admitted that the performance was not flawless – the team appeared a little uneven at times and, as a result, former England striker Alan Shearer labelled the display "weak" during the Prime Video co‑commentary.
Nevertheless, the visitors never truly threatened to squander their lead, and statistically Porto were reduced to a handful of half‑chances, failing to register a single shot on target throughout the match. The defensive solidity was underpinned by a midfield that functioned like a well‑engineered machine. While some pundits instinctively compare the current side to the era when Rodri acted as the central pivot for Pep Guardiola’s meticulously choreographed system, the reality on the night was that City were able to impose a different rhythm without the Spanish midfielder’s signature presence.
Maresca’s philosophy, he reminded his players, is a work in progress – "slowly, slowly" – and he appears comfortable allowing the new generation to develop at their own pace, even as many fans expected a dramatic shift in power after Guardiola’s departure. Beyond the headline result, the game against Porto revealed several promising signs for the club’s long‑term project. Securing an away win in Europe, and doing so while keeping a clean sheet, is never a trivial achievement.
However, the most striking individual story was the debut of 18‑year‑old Ayyoub Bouaddi, whose performance arguably eclipsed that of the usual star forwards. While Erling Haaland’s brace deserved its share of praise, Bouaddi’s impact was highlighted by the Norwegian striker himself after the final whistle.
Haaland told City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak that the youngster was "a gem" who had delivered "a really good game" and that his confidence in training had already been evident. Bouaddi arrived in Manchester for a reported £86 million from Lille, a fee that reflects both his potential and the club’s belief in his ability to grow into a world‑class midfielder.
Yet his demeanor on the pitch was neither flamboyant nor arrogant; he displayed a calm composure more typical of a seasoned professional than a teenager making his first start for a club of City’s stature. Maresca, speaking on Prime Video, described the performance as "unbelievable" and noted that Bouaddi never appeared panicked, moving the ball with an elegance that reminded many observers of Rodri’s own style.
Technically, Bouaddi showcased a blend of dribbling flair and precise passing. He employed subtle feints and quick changes of direction to evade pressure, then released the ball at a tempo that kept the opposition guessing. His teammates seemed comfortable entrusting him with possession even in tight areas – a confidence exemplified by Rayan Cherki, who repeatedly used Bouaddi as a reliable outlet throughout the match. Perhaps most impressively, Bouaddi recorded a passing accuracy of 98 per cent against Porto, marginally higher than the 96 per cent Rodri posted in Barcelona’s 5‑1 victory over Feyenoord just a day later.
While the sample size is tiny, the numbers hint at a player capable of handling the high‑pressure passing duties traditionally assigned to the City holding midfielder. It would be premature to label Bouaddi as a direct replacement for Rodri; the nickname "Baby Rodri" proved a heavy burden for Nico González during his brief spell at the club, creating unrealistic expectations and setting the player up for criticism. Nonetheless, the broader picture is encouraging: City now possess a midfield trio – Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández – that can collectively fill the void left by a player once deemed irreplaceable. Rodri remains a unique talent, and his physical limitations following the ACL injury he suffered in 2024 mean he can no longer be expected to feature in every three‑day rotation.
The emergence of Bouaddi, however, provides a fresh dynamic. Anderson, who impressed with possession statistics comparable to Rodri’s during his time at Nottingham Forest, arrived as a more experienced Premier League option and immediately displayed composure both on and off the ball after coming off the bench against Porto.
His age and experience make him a safer, steadier presence, while the teenage Bouaddi will undoubtedly benefit from training alongside a player of Anderson’s calibre. Fernández adds another layer of versatility. Primarily a number‑8, he can also drift into a more advanced number‑10 role, offering a goal threat that has been missing from City’s midfield since the departure of Ilkay Gündoğan.
The three players together provide a spectrum of profiles: Bouaddi naturally operates as a deep‑lying playmaker (a classic number 6), Anderson and Fernández are more box‑to‑box (number 8) types, yet all three possess the mobility to interchange positions as the tactical situation demands. This fluidity aligns perfectly with Maresca’s vision of a positionally flexible midfield that can adapt mid‑game without sacrificing cohesion. Financially, the £326 million invested in these acquisitions reflects City’s ambition to maintain dominance. While such spending guarantees a high level of individual talent, it does not automatically translate into immediate chemistry.
Historically, new signings need time to develop on‑field relationships, but the early signs suggest that the connections between Anderson, Fernández and Bouaddi are forming faster than expected. The next real test for Maresca’s revamped midfield will come in the derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Both sides will rely heavily on their midfield make‑overs to control the tempo of a fixture that often erupts into a heated battle.
It is likely that Maresca will start Anderson in the holding role, with Fernández positioned just ahead, while Bouaddi could either start or be introduced from the bench to inject fresh energy. In summary, Manchester City’s recent performances indicate that the club is no longer dependent on a single midfield anchor. The blend of experience, youth, technical skill and tactical versatility offered by Anderson, Fernández and Bouaddi provides a robust foundation for the team’s future.
While Rodri’s legacy will always be a benchmark, the emerging midfield core suggests that City can continue to compete at the highest level without him. The journey is still in its early stages, but the prospect of a new generation of midfielders delivering the same, if not greater, quality is an exciting narrative for the club and its supporters.