Nico has been filling in for Rodri at Manchester City, showcasing strong performances that contributed to the team's success. However, with Rodri back, Nico's playing time has diminished, raising questions about his potential to excel in that role.
Can a Manchester City midfielder offer more in the Rodri role?
It is now clear that Nico is the Rodri back up for Manchester City. Nico’s appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side this season highlight this. In the first half of this season, when Rodri was injured, Nico was a prominent player for City. In fact, Nico’s performances in the Rodri role are a big reason why Manchester City remain in the hunt for a domestic treble this season. However, once Rodri returned to full fitness, Nico has been on the periphery of the City squad. His starts have either come in cup games or when Rodri has been unavailable. That isn’t a surprise given how good a player Rodri is.
Having said all of that, you do wonder if Nico could offer more in the Rodri role? Recent comments from Pep Guardiola suggest this is what Nico needs to do to take his game to the next level. What is clear is that Nico has the tools to do exactly that as a player.
Nico was the hero when Manchester City booked their place in this season’s FA Cup final with a 2-1 win over Southampton at Wembley. Nico’s thunderbolt from 30 yards out in the 87th minute decided the match. The goal Nico scored was a fine reward for a player who has made a more than solid contribution for City this season. Nico’s contribution to City earlier this season was vital. That has almost been forgotten at times as the second half of this season has progressed.
Speaking with the BBC after Manchester City made their fourth consecutive FA Cup final, Pep Guardiola was thrilled for Nico to have his moment at Wembley. However, Guardiola added that there is an aspect of Nico’s game, or more to the point, his mentality, which needs to change if the Spanish midfielder is to take the next step as a player. Guardiola explained: “”
Nico's performances as Rodri's backup have been significant, helping Manchester City remain competitive for a domestic treble during Rodri's injury.
Pep Guardiola emphasized that Nico needs to believe in himself more to elevate his game and fully utilize his potential in the Rodri role.
Nico's playing time has been limited because Rodri is a highly skilled player, and Nico's starts have mostly come in cup matches or when Rodri is unavailable.
If Nico fully embraces the Rodri role, he could significantly enhance his contributions to the team and potentially secure more playing time.
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“He’s a guy who has to believe in himself more, ‘I can do more, be more active’. Sometimes he plays to be safe and the initiative with the goal – that’s the mentality he has to play with as a holding midfielder! He’s a top guy, still young, and he can improve a lot.”
Pep Guardiola’s comments after Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final win, and Nico’s heroics, do pose a question: Can Nico offer more in the Rodri role? The simple answer is yes. However, Nico shouldn’t be expected to be Rodri when he does step into the City starting eleven when Rodri is unavailable. It is unfair to Nico to expect him to be a Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder when he plays sporadically. Also, Nico isn’t even in his prime years as a player. He is only 24 and is learning the most complicated role in a Pep Guardiola team.
What is clear, watching Nico play and from Pep Guardiola’s comments, is that Nico needs to take the handbrake off in possession. You do see Nico tend to play it safe when he is in possession. He does defer to others at times. Nico is more than capable of progressing the game himself, either with a pass or with his ability to drive forward in possession. He has those capabilities. It may just take time and a shot of confidence for Nico to realize this. That should come as Nico matures as a player.
So simply put Nico can do more in the Rodri role. However, he needs minutes to gain confidence, and if Rodri is fit he is in a battle to get those. All told, Nico is progressing well as a Manchester City player. He has areas of his game to improve. But he has the attributes required to one day be an important player for City. Nico just needs more confidence in himself to take the game on more, as Pep Guardiola has previously stated.