Manchester City confirmed on Tuesday that Rodri signed a new deal until 2027, eight days after Kalvin Phillips joined from Leeds United.
The 26-year-old is coming off the back of an outstanding season that saw him stake a claim to be City’s Player of the Year, so he was more than deserving of a new deal.
The timing of the announcement is ironic, however, as it comes after Phillips has made the switch from Elland Road and will fight for a starting place in midfield.
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Rodri joined City on a five-year deal from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has gone on to make 151 appearances in all competitions, scoring 13 goals with nine assists.
The Spanish international has been a regular under Pep Guardiola and is arguably one of the best defensive-midfielders in Europe, so Phillips is unlikely to dethrone him upon arrival.
Rodri played in 33 of 38 Premier League games for City last season and featured in 10 of their 12 Champions League outings, so he was an important player.
The 26-year-old is adept at turning over possession while retaining the ball and seldom misplacing passes, helping City keep 21 clean sheets, so he’s unlikely to lose his spot.
City handing him a new deal is a show of faith as well, a deserved reward and a message to Phillips.
In other news, letting Oleksandr Zinchenko leave would be bad decision from Pep Guardiola