Pep Guardiola has declared Rodri fit to play against Tottenham and hailed him as the ‘best player in the world’. Rodri’s return is a significant boost for Manchester City, who missed his presence in their season opener. Statistics highlight his importance to the team, with their win percentage and goal-scoring record improving significantly when he is in the lineup. Guardiola emphasized the need for consistent game time to maintain Rodri’s peak condition, and his return comes at a crucial time for City as they look to build momentum in their Premier League title defense.
Pep Guardiola has lavished praise on Rodri, declaring him the "best player in the world" and confirming his availability for Manchester City's highly anticipated Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur. The Spanish midfielder's return is a significant boost for the reigning champions, who missed his commanding presence in their season opener against Wolves.
Rodri was sidelined for the Wolves game due to a minor injury sustained during the Club World Cup. His absence highlighted his importance to the City squad, with the team's performance noticeably affected. Last season, a knee injury against Arsenal further limited Rodri's appearances, keeping him out of action for a significant period before his return for the campaign's final stages.
The statistics paint a clear picture of Rodri's influence on Manchester City. Without him in the lineup, the team's win percentage drops from an impressive 73.2% to a less convincing 61.7%. Furthermore, City's attacking prowess diminishes without the Spaniard's control in midfield. They score fewer goals per game (2.2 compared to 2.5) and concede more (1.0 compared to 0.8) when Rodri is not dictating the tempo.
Guardiola, however, remains unfazed by any potential dip in Rodri's performance. He emphasizes the need for consistent game time to maintain the midfielder's peak condition. "Rodri and Phil [Foden] were not available for the last game," Guardiola explained, "they were out but it was just because of a lack of training, they are ready for tomorrow."
Pep I just want consistent Rodri. That’s all. I don’t have any doubts about his potential and quality. He’s still the best player in the world until we elect a new one in a few months. I have no doubts. Consistency in training, games, and after everything will be fine. pic.twitter.com/Fmjdyywf3T
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 22, 2025
"I just want consistency with Rodri. I don’t have any doubts about his potential or his ability. Still, so far, he is the best player in the world," Guardiola reiterated, underscoring his unwavering faith in the player's capabilities.
"The consistency will come with training and games, training and games, week after week and after that everything will be fine," he added, emphasizing the importance of a sustained run of matches for Rodri to reach his optimal level.
Rodri's return comes at a crucial time for Manchester City, who are looking to build momentum after a somewhat stuttering start to their Premier League title defense. Tottenham, under their new manager, will pose a stern test, and Rodri's presence in midfield will be vital in controlling the game and providing a solid platform for City's attacking players to flourish.
The midfielder's ability to break up play, dictate the tempo, and launch attacks from deep makes him an indispensable asset for Guardiola's side. His return not only strengthens the team's spine but also provides a psychological boost, instilling confidence and composure throughout the squad.
Manchester City fans will be eagerly anticipating Rodri's performance against Tottenham, hoping to witness a dominant display from the player Guardiola considers the best in the world. With Rodri back in the fold, City will be aiming to assert their dominance and secure a vital victory in their quest for another Premier League title.
The game against Tottenham will also provide an opportunity for Rodri to showcase his qualities on a grand stage and further solidify his reputation as one of the leading midfielders in world football. His duel with Tottenham's midfield will be a key battleground in the match, and his ability to win that contest will be crucial to City's chances of success.
Guardiola's comments highlight the immense value he places on Rodri and the integral role he plays in Manchester City's success. As the season progresses, Rodri's fitness and form will be paramount to City's ambitions of challenging for major honors both domestically and in Europe. His return is a welcome sight for City fans, who will be hoping to see him continue to excel and lead the team to more silverware.