Rio Ferdinand has claimed Manchester City would have won the Premier League last season had Rodri been available for the entire campaign. The former Manchester United defender made the statement as Barcelona close in on a deal for the Ballon d'Or winner.
Rodri's absence cost City the title, says Ferdinand
Arsenal secured their first Premier League title since 2004 in May, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City in what was Pep Guardiola's final season at the club. Rodri missed 17 league games through injury, and Ferdinand believes that absence was decisive.
Speaking on his podcast, Ferdinand said: '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 added: 'That's no coincidence. 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.'
Barcelona close in on Rodri as City face 'huge challenges'
Rodri now looks set to end his successful spell at the Etihad Stadium, with Barcelona closing in on a stunning deal for the World Cup winner. Ferdinand says his imminent departure will present 'huge challenges' to a City team already coping with the exit of Guardiola.
'Not only have they lost Pep Guardiola, it now looks like they're losing Rodri. That's two of the most important people at the football club in the last seven or eight years,' Ferdinand said. 'So after a big change in manager they're losing the biggest, most important player in their team.'
Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea boss, has been given the task of replacing Guardiola, who won six Premier League titles, the Champions League and eight domestic cups at City.
Ferdinand warns of 'huge challenge' for City; Limpar echoes concerns
Ferdinand warned: 'I think Man City have a huge challenge this year in competing in the way they have in the last eight or nine years. They've lost two huge components of the football club, not only on the pitch but off it as well. They were both huge contributors so let's watch this space.'
Arsenal hero Anders Limpar also suggested City could struggle if they sell Rodri. 'If Manchester City sell Rodri they are shooting themselves in the foot because he cannot be replaced,' Limpar told SveaCasino.
'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?'
Limpar added: '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. It would be the best signing of the summer for Arsenal if Rodri goes to Barcelona or Real Madrid.'
