Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca says the club aims to recruit the next Rodri following the midfielder's departure to FC Barcelona after a trophy-filled seven-year stint.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has stated that the club will focus on finding the "next Rodri" following the 30-year-old midfielder's departure to FC Barcelona, expressing confidence in City's track record of replacing marquee players.
Rodri concluded a seven-year tenure at Manchester City on August 18, bringing an end to a spell that included four Premier League titles, the Champions League, and two FA Cups. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner also captained Spain to World Cup glory last month, earning player of the tournament honors, after previously winning the European Championship with his country.
Speaking on Saturday (August 22, 2026) ahead of Manchester City's Premier League opener against Bournemouth, Maresca highlighted how previous City legends were successfully replaced. "When David Silva was here, everyone was worried – Kevin (De Bruyne) arrived. When Sergio Aguero was here, everyone was worried – Erling (Haaland) arrived. When Fernandinho left, Rodri arrived. It's just about this," Maresca said. "When they leave, you need to be good and recruit the next one."
Maresca noted that Rodri developed into a global star after joining the club. "Rodri, before he arrived here, he didn't win the Ballon d'Or, he didn't win the Champions League, he didn't win the Club World Cup. Then he joined the club and then he achieved many important things," the manager stated. "Now the target for us is to try to find the new Rodri."
Addressing ongoing squad reshaping and reports linking Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez with moves away, Maresca remained relaxed about transfer activity before the window closes. "We need to adapt and we don't want to keep players here that don't want to stay," Maresca said. "When the transfer window closes and we have the squad there, for sure it will be different."
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.