Pep Guardiola says Rodri has made giant strides forward as a player during his time with City – but he thinks the holding midfielder can get even better.

Spanish international Rodri has been a key component in Guardiola’s side since joining us from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019.

With his clever reading of the game, impressive passing attributes and eye for goal, the 26-year-old has played a huge role in our success.

The work of a defensive midfielder often goes unnoticed and slips under the radar.

But not with Guardiola, who is a big fan of the way Rodri has developed during his three years at the club.

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Interestingly, however, the boss believes there’s much more to come from the two-time Premier League and two-time League Cup winner.

He said: “The reality is he makes an incredible step forward as a player when he arrived. He makes an incredible, incredible step forward.

“I have the feeling he can improve in that sometimes he relies a lot on his physicality and he has to still understand what the game demands in every moment.

“But with his type of age and his type of energy, he will improve.

“But, of course, he is so important for us, so important. He’s a huge competitor in important games. We’re very, very pleased.”

Rodri was sent on as a half-time substitute in the final Group G Champions League game with Sevilla on Wednesday, with City trailing 0-1.

By the time the final whistle blew, City had won 3-1 and Guardiola stressed that Rodri’s impact was a key part of the comeback.

Asked whether Rodri was one on the world’s best in that specialised position as an anchor man in the team, Guardiola offered no hesitation with his answer.

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He added: “Yeah one of the best by far.

“I don’t like to say the best because you always have to push them – you can be better! Always we talk about that.

“[We say] perform your best every day and think you can do better today than yesterday.”