Pep Guardiola believes that New Manchester City who signs Nico Gonzalez can connect the gap in midfield by Rodri.
City drew the 23-year-old from Porto for a deal of four and a half years on the deadline day for £ 50 million and became their fourth signing of the window after Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vorror Reis.
He made 68 performances for Porto and impressed this season when he helped them to help third place in the Primeira Liga.
No player in the Portuguese top flight has won more tackles for Porto than Nico (19), while only Nehuen Perez (926) and Otavio (919) have completed more passes than the Spaniard (819).
Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has been out since he tore his front cruciate ligament (ACL) in September. Although Guardiola said at the time that the Spaniard would no longer play this season, he was included in City's Champions League team for the knockout phases.
But with his return still somehow, Guardiola Nico has supported to prove a difference for the city.
“It is a position where we were weak after the absence of Rodri,” Guardiola said in a press conference.
“A young player, 23 years old, can play number six and number eight, more in the pockets. Physicality – he is a strong young boy.
“I know him from the Barcelona Academy and his father worked here. I am really happy with the club's effort to bring him here in the coming years.”
Guardiola was also asked about the lack of football by Jack Grealish in recent weeks, but it was insisted on the form of other players.
Grealish, who has had injury problems this term, has so far published 22 performances for City in 2024-25 and has risen for 1.108 minutes in all competitions.
Savinho, who has two goals and eight assists during the creation of 47 opportunities, and Jeremy Doku (six goals, seven assists) preferred Grealish, with Guardiola apologetic about his selections.
“I'm so sorry that they don't get the minutes they might deserve, but in the end the contributions of Jeremy of Savinho were enormous this season,” Guardiola said.
“This is the only reason why; it is not personal, or I don't like Jack, or I don't have faith in him.
“The manager sometimes has to select one player for the other, not only because you don't like the other, but because a player can give you at the certain moment of a season, something that is better. No more than that.
“Of course I make mistakes, and maybe he should play in other games, or maybe players who play should not, but it's my world, my life, and you have to accept it.”
City, who defeated Salford City 8-0 in the third round of the FA Cup, Face League One Leyton Orient in the fourth round on Saturday, but the Spaniard is still wary of the threat they are.
“Yes of course [they will bring trouble]”He added.
“We have always had problems in this competition, FA Cup or [EFL] Cup, road to teams in the championship or League One or even League Two.
“We are always struggling. But we are ready for the challenge. Every game is a new chance.”
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