Manchester City swatted aside Wolves on Saturday – and pundit Jamie Redknapp believes one Etihad star is simply too good to be playing in a position he’s been in for most of the time since he signed.
City ran out 5-1 winners over Wolves, with Erling Haaland the star of the show at the Etihad Stadium as he plundered four goals.
The Norwegian, who looked especially happy after scoring against Nottingham Forest last weekend, was bang at it yesterday, scoring twice from the spot and then two other brilliant goals. He has now surpassed David Silva, who was in attendance for yesterday’s game.
Julian Alvarez then got in on the act late on, after he had come on to replace Haaland.
It was a great performance from City, who needed to respond after Arsenal had beaten Bournemouth 3-0 earlier in the day.
After the game, Jamie Redknapp was left amazed by someone other than Haaland…
Jamie Redknapp says Rodri is now ‘too good’ to simply be a holding midfielder for Man City
This was a dominant display from City, against a side that may well have threatened.
Wolves won the reverse fixture back in September, and have previous for winning at the Etihad Stadium.
But City never needed to worry on Saturday, and produced a really top performance – and key to everything, as usual, was Rodri.
The £63 million Spaniard was making his 46th appearance of the season for City, and he marked it by producing two assists – his first for Haaland was a brilliant cross, and then he got a second as he played in Alvarez for the fifth.
Rodri is now up to 14 assists across all competitions this season which is a remarkable tally for someone who is primarily a defensive midfielder.
Jamie Redknapp spoke after yesterday’s game, and believes the 27-year-old is actually now too good to be playing at the base of the midfield. He said on Sky Sports: “At times we’re seeing him play as a 10. We’re seeing mores strings to their bow. I think he is so good at doing everything, why don’t you get him into these areas.”
“Even for the last goal, he’s involved in it. I love to see that. Nowadays we get pigeon-holed as he’s a defensive midfielder. He’s too good for that, because he can make goals.”
Rodri is just extraordinary
Rodri was a joy to watch once again yesterday against Wolves, and he continues to show that he is far more than just a holding midfielder.
The numbers really do speak for themselves. To have tabled nine Premier League assists so far and 14 in total, on top of eight goals, is just amazing.
It will be really interesting to see what happens with Rodri next season, given this amazing output.
Pep Guardiola may well look to sign someone who can play on his position, and then deploy Rodri further up in some games because clearly, he has the creativity to be able to unlock teams.