Rodri has established himself as a rock in the centre of the park and a huge fan favourite in his four and a half seasons with City, collecting 10 major honours in that time, including the Treble in 2022/23 and the Big Five across 2023.
He has now gone a whole year unbeaten in a City shirt - 35 games - with the last defeat he endured seeing a 1-0 defeat to Spurs in February 2023.
Guardiola has been delighted with how much he’s developed since joining us from Atletico Madrid in July 2019 but also his professionalism and dedication in training, inspiring those around him in the process.
“He pays attention and he’s an incredible professional in the training sessions,” stressed the boss.
“Never since I arrived in the training sessions have I seen him a little bit flat or a little bit distracted.
“He’s always focused and always encouraging his mates. He’s a true, true leader on the pitch.
“He’s such a competitor. He learns everything he needs for a holding midfielder, encouraging the good things, correcting the bad ones. That’s what happened with Rodri.
“What he has is the quality. Quality, presence, composure, personality. How he reacts when we concede a goal. His body language. It’s a thousand million things.
“He’s an incredible, complete holding midfielder and football player I would say.”
While Rodrigo is a regular in the starting XI, one man whose time has been limited of late is Jack Grealish.
Grealish, a hugely talented winger and warm hearted personality, has been an unused sub in three of the last four games - at Brentford, Tottenham and Newcastle.
Guardiola pointed to the strength in depth in our squad but insisted that Grealish is ‘making steps to get to his best level’.
“If Jack and Jeremy play, Phil doesn’t play and Julian doesn’t play. It is what it is,” said the boss.
“We need it. Now it’s better. We have Oscar Bobb who has, for example, had an amazing impact and in the last game he didn’t play.
“It’s important because it’s 90 minutes, 95 minutes, 97 minutes every game and we have players who can change from the bench, who can make the rhythm.
“Remember when Kevin [De Bruyne] came back, he was on the bench and he came in and helped us to win the game.
“With many games it’s going to happen. Everyone is going to play.
“Jack is doing steps to get to his best level. Now he’s competing with the players who are playing at a high, high level and that is the only reason why.
“He has to get back to what he was especially last season and all the period at Villa. I am looking forward to giving him minutes.
“This season was not like last season but he’s getting better. That’s what we’re looking for.
“Always I’m pleased with all my players and Jack as well.
“It’s not a big, big problem. Completely the opposite. Now he’s making steps to get to his best and that’s all.
“We need him and need everyone. We need Jack. I am looking forward to have him back to his best and give him minutes.”
