Manchester City’s Nico Gonzalez hits back at comparisons to Ballon d’Or winner Rodri | OneFootball

Nico Gonzalez has insisted that he does not see himself as a direct comparative to Manchester City’s Rodri, speaking during a recent interview.

The Spanish midfielder arrived at the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the recent January transfer window, completing market activity from Manchester City officials at a total spend in the region of £175 million.

Joining the versatile central midfielder through the doors of the club were two central defensive recruits in Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov, while Omar Marmoush strengthened the forward line having joined from Eintracht Frankfurt in a big-money switch.

The arrival of Nico from FC Porto was arguably the most vital signing however, with Manchester City struggling to come to terms with both Rodri’s long-term absence due to a major knee injury, and a lack of youthfulness in central areas of the pitch.

And having started life at the club in strong fashion, Nico has already earned rave reviews from supporters, the media, and even his Manchester City manager, who went as far as to describe the player as a “mini-Rodri” in one interview.

But speaking to reporters after City’s defeat to Liverpool, and another strong performance from an individual perspective, Nico Gonzalez was quizzed on the ongoing comparisons between himself and Rodri at the club.

“I don’t see it that way,” the former FC Porto man told reporters. “It doesn’t matter who plays, we’re a team that is very united with everyone now.

“It doesn’t matter if I play, or Kova (Mateo Kovacic) plays, or whoever, I don’t see myself as the replacement for Rodri, I see myself as another player.”

He continued by discussing his football education at Barcelona’s La Masia, and how his upbringing with that philosophy is aiding his experience at Manchester City.

“I was raised in Barcelona and I’ve always more or less played the way we play here, I’ve got used to playing here very quickly,” Nico explained.

“Obviously the team plays really well, there are also players close to me to have the ball and everyone wants the ball every time so it’s easy to find players and find passes. The quality of the players is so good so for me it’s easier to play here than the team I used to play.”

Nico is expected to play a significant role in Manchester City’s end-of-season ambitions, and even when Rodri does finally arrive into the starting line-up, he is expected to retain his starting place either through a role as a second defensive midfielder, or as a ‘No 8’.

Manchester City officials, starting with incoming sporting director Hugo Viana, will no doubt remain in the transfer market for fresh recruits in midfield during the summer months, as question marks continue to hang over the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan.