Man City will 'try to find the new Rodri' - Maresca

What the report says

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said the club will look to replace Rodri after the midfielder’s departure for Barcelona earlier this week. According to BBC Sport Football, Rodri has signed a four-year deal with the La Liga champions after they agreed a fee reported to be around £65m. The Spain captain spent seven seasons at City, where he became a key figure and helped the team win major honours, including four Premier League titles, the 2023 Champions League and the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Maresca said City must now identify another player who can fill the role Rodri played at the Etihad Stadium. He pointed to previous moments when the club replaced departing stars with new signings, using examples such as David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho. His comments suggest City view this as part of a familiar cycle rather than a crisis, although replacing a player of Rodri’s calibre will be a significant task.

The BBC report also noted that City are expected to be active in the closing stages of the transfer window, with possible arrivals and departures still being discussed. That broader context matters because Rodri’s exit adds pressure on the club’s recruitment as they try to balance squad changes with competitive ambitions in the Premier League and Europe.