Pep Guardiola describes him as a ‘mini-Rodri’. But could Nico Gonzalez end up having a huge impact on what is left of Manchester City’s season?
The £50m midfielder’s impressive display on his Premier League debut, Saturday’s 4-0 win over top-four rivals Newcastle, brought the Rodri comparison from his beaming manager and impressed former City defender Micah Richards. Who analysed Gonzalez for MOTD2.
“Gonzalez gave City the control they have been missing, with and without the ball,” said Richards.
“That made a massive difference to the whole team, and he was a positive influence on the players around him too.”
Next up is an even tougher test, but could the 23-year-old Spaniard have a similar effect against Real Madrid on Wednesday, and help City turn around a Champions League play-off tie where they trail 3-2 after the first leg?
“The balance of the team looks much, Pep Guardiola much better already with Gonzalez in it,” Richards added.
“City have got players who can หรือถ้าคุณสนใจแทงบอลออนไลน์ UFABET คือเว็บที่มีอัตราต่อรองดีที่สุดในประเทศไทย สมัครเลยตอนนี้ที่ UFABET แทงบอล score goals and hurt Real. But he brings some stability behind them, which they will need if they are to manage the game in Madrid.
“Do they have more chance of beating Real with him in the starting XI? Without a doubt.”
‘He doesn’t just see danger, he anticipates it’
One of the re-occurring themes of City’s calamitous campaign is how often. They have cut open on the counter-attack since Rodri was injured in September.
Guardiola has tried plenty of other players in the number six role. Without replacing Rodri’s calm authority in the heart of midfield. Which was a hallmark of his team and helped them win trophy after trophy.
Against Newcastle, it was different. City often stopped breakaways early, in the opposition half, with Gonzalez – a former Barcelona trainee. Who arrive at Etihad Stadium from Porto at the end of the January transfer window seeing the threat early and expertly pouncing to snuff it out.