Lee Dixon has claimed that Manchester City have a player who is flawless for all practical purposes.
Pep Guardiola has plenty of their players at his disposal who seem to have mastered their respective positions on the pitch.
Stalwarts like Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Kyle Walker can certainly claim to have done so. As a result, such players have widely been viewed as the best in the world in their respective roles for years.
Lee Dixon makes fresh claim about Rodri
Not many players reach a point in their careers where it seems like they operate at such a level that it is tough for them to raise the bar even further. Only the greats of the game can attest to being viewed by the masses in such a light.
Manchester City talisman Rodri is a player who is a master of the holding midfield position, with Lee Dixon initially claiming he is the best number six in world football.
On ITV 1 (15/06/2024, 5:45 pm), he said: “The guys were talking about it before the game and I am trying to find an argument against him being the best in the world at that [holding midfield position]. I can’t think of anybody else.”
“It must be a centre-back’s dream to have him playing in front of you. He tracks back and nips it. He cleans up a lot of rubbish in front of that back four.”
Discussing where Rodri has any flaws in his game, Lee Dixon initially questioned whether his sprinting is a weakness before realising he might simply be a perfect defensive midfielder.
“Sprinting. He is not the quickest but he is not the slowest, is he? I don’t know. He hasn’t got anything.”
Rodri showcased his brilliance for Spain against Croatia
Regardless of whether one agrees with Lee Dixon about Rodri being a faultless number six, he certainly showcased there is a case to be made by putting in yet another splendid showing against Croatia.
The £62.5 million man started at the base of midfield in Spain’s Euro 2024 opener, behind Fabian Ruiz and Pedri.
The four-time Premier League winner played an influential role in Alvaro Morata’s opening goal, laying the ball off to Ruiz, who played a delightful through ball to assist the star striker.
Despite facing top midfielders such as Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic, Rodri controlled the proceedings with his astute passing and stunning technique.
Defensively as well, the 27-year-old was perennially positioned at the right place, at the right time to snuff Croatia’s dangerous attacks out.
All in all, Rodri might have proven Lee Dixon right by shining on the European stage in style.