Manchester City risk turning themselves into a “mediocre team” capable of finishing no higher than sixth or seventh if they allow Rodri to leave for Barcelona this summer. Former Arsenal winger Anders Limpar warned as the Spain international’s protracted transfer saga edges closer to a resolution.
Rodri, a Ballon d’Or winner, has spent much of the summer being linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium, with Barcelona understood to be the midfielder’s preferred destination ahead of Real Madrid.
The 30-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, and City are said to value him at more than €70m, having already rejected an opening bid from the Catalan club.
For new head coach Enzo Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola this summer after a decade of unprecedented success under the Catalan, the outcome of the Rodri saga could shape the entire complexion of his first season in charge.
Limpar, speaking to SveaCasino, believes City would be taking an enormous gamble by sanctioning the sale of a player he regards as irreplaceable.
“If Manchester City sell Rodri they are shooting themselves in the foot because he cannot be replaced,” Limpar said.
“We said the same about David Silva but they did replace him and brought in a couple of good players, like Bernardo Silva, but it’s even harder to replace Rodri now.
“He’s a Ballon d’Or winner because of how good he is in his role. Who are you going to replace him with?
“City have to be very, very careful here or they can become a mediocre team that struggles to finish sixth or seventh even with Erling Haaland because Rodri is the machine. He’s the engine in that midfield.”
The Swedish former player, who spent three seasons at Arsenal in the early 1990s, went on to suggest a Rodri departure would hand the initiative to the Gunners in the race for silverware.
“It would be the best signing of the summer for Arsenal if Rodri goes to Barcelona or Real Madrid,” he added.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand echoes the alarm
Limpar is not the only former Premier League player sounding the alarm over City’s prospects without their talismanic holding midfielder.
Rio Ferdinand has gone further still, arguing that Rodri’s fitness alone may have been the difference between City and Arsenal at the top of the table last season.
Arsenal ended a 21-year wait for the league title in May, finishing seven points ahead of City in what proved to be Guardiola’s final campaign at the club.
Rodri missed 17 Premier League matches through injury that season, and Ferdinand is adamant his absence was decisive.
“If Rodri started and played every game last season and didn’t have that injury, Man City win the Premier League. No disrespect to Arsenal but if Rodri played ten more games, Man City would have won the league,” Ferdinand said, according to Metro.
He also stressed the scale of Rodri’s individual achievements, pointing to his role in Spain’s triumphs on the international stage.
“This guy went into the Spain team and was their most important player, wins the best player of the tournament and helps them win the World Cup. He’s won the Ballon d’Or too, he’s won everything,” Ferdinand said, according to Metro.
Turning to what a move to Barcelona would mean for City’s rivals, Ferdinand suggested it would immediately elevate the Spanish giants into serious contenders.
“If Barcelona get him they are a certified problem this year because Rodri is the most important footballer for any team on the planet right now and has been for the last few years. He’s a top player and a top pro.”
City are reportedly exploring alternatives should Rodri depart, with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez — who Maresca previously coached at Stamford Bridge — among the names under consideration.
Whether any incoming midfielder can fill the void left by a Ballon d’Or winner, however, remains the question hanging over the Etihad this summer.
