If there’s one player who embodies Pep Guardiola’s style at Manchester City, it’s the dynamic defensive midfielder Rodri.

Signed from Atletico Madrid for what now seems a bargain £62.8m—a club record at the time—the soon-to-be 30-year-old has been a metronomic presence in midfield, allowing the likes of Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden to flourish.

Rodri’s influence is evident in City’s record when he’s on the pitch: across 288 appearances in all competitions, the Spaniard has helped City win 208 matches, draw 46, and lose just 34. His 29 goals and 32 assists have been impressive for a player in his position, highlighted by arguably the most important goal in recent City history—a right-footed strike that secured the club’s first Champions League title in 2023.

However, this season has seen a dip in his usual dominance. His Premier League pass success rate remains excellent at 90.3%, but it falls short of the 92.5% he achieved in 2023/24, when he completed 3,633 passes. With just nine league games remaining in 2025/26, Rodri has managed only 1,220 passes, highlighting a reduced influence on the game.

His creative output has also declined. Only 20 chances created in the league this season marks his lowest return since joining City (excluding the injury-hit 2024/25 campaign). While he has won 91 of 133 duels—a 68.4% success rate—this figure is misleading compared to previous seasons, when he typically contested over 300 duels. His tackles won percentage has also dropped, with 17 of 33 successful this season (51.5%) compared to 43 of 70 (61.4%) in 2023/24.

Rodri’s combination of physicality, skill, and experience makes him a unique asset, which complicates the club’s decision. Guardiola and the City board must weigh whether to refresh the squad with younger players or retain seasoned professionals like Rodri, who still offer elite-level experience.

Rodri’s contract runs until the summer of 2027, giving him the option to start negotiating with other clubs in the near future. Rumours link him with a return to Real Madrid