According to BBC Pundit Garth Crooks, Rodri Is Manchester City’s ‘Most Important’ Player, Not Haaland or De Bruyne

Garth Crooks, a BBC pundit, believes that Spanish midfielder Rodri holds the title of Manchester City’s ‘most important’ player, surpassing the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.

Rodri, who joined City from Atletico Madrid for approximately £60 million in 2019, has developed into one of the world’s top midfielders under the guidance of Pep Guardiola. Renowned for his ability to do the dirty work effectively, Rodri has become the ideal defensive midfielder, and at 27 years old, he is expected to stay with the club for the foreseeable future.

Following another impressive campaign that saw Manchester City secure their third consecutive Premier League title, Rodri has continued his excellent form into the 2023/24 season, playing a pivotal role in his team’s comeback victory against West Ham.

Despite a goal from Erling Haaland, it was a day to forget for the Nordic striker, who missed an astonishing five ‘big chances’ during the match.

Unsurprisingly, Haaland was not included in Crooks’ Premier League Team of the Week, unlike Rodri, whom Crooks believes deserves recognition as City’s ‘most important’ player.

Crooks explained his perspective in a BBC article: “Arguably the most important member of City’s team, Rodri is a permanent fixture in Pep Guardiola’s set-up – venturing forward and being more creative with every game.”

“During the second half, West Ham hardly saw the ball as Rodri pulled the strings and City controlled the match.”

City has managed to secure maximum points from five games, and interestingly, their recent performances have not featured Kevin De Bruyne, a testament to Rodri’s influence.

Crooks added, “They have taken maximum points from five games and their past four haven’t included Kevin de Bruyne – no-one has even mentioned him, never mind missed him.”

“At this rate, City can take their time with the injured De Bruyne and wait until he’s fully fit before considering his return.”

In addition to Rodri, Crooks also included other Manchester City players in his Team of the Week, such as Ederson, Kyle Walker, and new signing Jeremy Doku. Doku, in particular, earned praise for his ‘electric’ performance against West Ham, with Crooks highlighting his ability to beat full-backs and create goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.