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How Man City will line up next season after confirming club-record £63m Rodri signing
MANCHESTER CITY have confirmed the signing of Rodri from Atletico Madrid for £63m - a club record transfer. Here’s how Pep Guardiola could line up his squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
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Man City have confirmed the signing of Rodri for a club record £63m, and he’s been given a five-year deal.
The Spaniard, who came from Atletico, is Guardiola’s second signing of the summer, after the Citizens confirmed the re-signing of Angelino from PSV Eindhoven.
Rodri revealed his admiration for City’s attacking football, and he’s excited by the club’s ambitions.
“What City have achieved in the last two years has been amazing and I’m looking forward to being part of such a talented squad,” he said.
I can’t wait to start working with Pep Guardiola
“It’s not just the titles they have won, but the way they have managed it, playing attacking football at all times.
“It’s a style that excites me, as do the club’s ambitions.
“I can’t wait to start working with Pep Guardiola and my new team-mates and hopefully we can achieve great things together.”
Rodri was signed as a long-term replacement for 34-year-old Fernandinho.
The Spain international will likely take Fernandinho’s place as City’s primary holding midfielder this season.
That way, if it becomes apparent that Rodri isn’t suited to City, Fernandinho can step back in from the bench before he leaves the club.
He’ll also be able to provide Rodri with valuable knowledge of how to play the crucial role, which is arguably the most important position on the pitch for Guardiola’s style.
City will line up in a similar way to last season at the moment, because Angelino is unlikely to feature in the first-team.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has been given a new lucrative contract at City after a stellar season, and he’ll most likely get the nod ahead of Benjamin Mendy.
Meanwhile, the team’s striker will be rotated - in the usual Guardiola style - between Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.
Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez will all compete for the two wide attacking midfield roles.
Assuming Kevin De Bruyne is fully recovered from his various setbacks last season, he’ll partner David Silva in the middle of the pitch, ahead of Rodri.
Manchester City predicted starting line-up
Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodri, David Silva, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Sterling, Aguero