For many people, Manchester City star Rodri is the very best defensive midfielder in the world right now and has been for a while.
The Spaniard has taken his game to a new level over the past two years or so, and has been absolutely integral to City’s domination and recent haul of trophies.
The 27-year-old is currently on an unbeaten streak stretching 66 games, which is insanely impressive. And it definitely shows how important he is, because City have lost all four games he’s been unavailable for this term.
Rodri has been so good in recent times, that there have been people – including Rio Ferdinand – talking about him potentially finishing his career as the greatest defensive midfielder of all-time.
That is a debate for when he hangs up his boots, but Rodri is definitely heading towards that kind of conversation.
He’s been sensational and City fans believe he’s the best at what he does – but Sheffield United player Vini Souza has offered a very controversial alternative as the best holding midfielder in the game…
Vini Souza suggests Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is better than Manchester City lynchpin Rodri
Vini Souza, who joined Sheffield United last summer from Belgian side Lommel for around £10 million, sat down to film a video with the Premier League, talking about Brazilian midfielders past and present in the competition.
There have been plenty who have graced the English top-flight over the years. And at the moment, there are some seriously talented ones such as Bruno Guimares, Douglas Luiz, Joao Gomes and reported City transfer target Lucas Paqueta.
But Souza believes there is someone who is better than all those players, and someone who is actually the best in the world in his position.
He said: “For me, the best player (in his position) in the world. He’s the best midfielder in the world, best in the tackle and in everything. I like Rodri also, Rodri with the ball.
“But in that position, when he tackles, he is a strong guy, I think Casemiro is the best.”
A shocking take
Plenty of City fans will get a good laugh out of this, because Casemiro is not the best midfielder in the world nor is he a better player than Rodri.
Perhaps Casemiro is something of an idol for Souza, given the fact he was incredible for years at Real Madrid, and also the Brazilian connection.
But there is not a chance he’s better than Rodri, and few would actually now place him any near the top of the list of midfielders in world football, given the way he has dropped off this season.
Casemiro, 32, was good for United in his first season but this term, his form has fallen off a cliff, and he has regularly come in for criticism for lacking mobility and seeming off the pace.
Meanwhile, over at the Etihad, it is rare that you will ever see Rodri have a bad game in sky blue.