Manchester City announced on Tuesday morning that Rodri had extended his contract with the Premier League champions until the summer of 2027, after stellar campaigns in the last two seasons that cemented his reputation as one of the world's finest holding midfielders.
Reports emerged in Spanish publication Diario AS on Sunday revealing that Rodri was set to sign a new deal with the Blues until 2027, with the official announcement scheduled for Tuesday after the Spain international had reportedly agreed on financial terms that placed him behind only Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne in the wage bill.
Joining City in the summer of 2019 from Atletico Madrid, Rodri quickly became indispensable for Pep Guardiola despite needing to find his feet in his first campaign. After the turbulent 19/20 season concluded, however, the Spaniard has gone from strength to strength and played a crucial role in back-to-back Premier League title wins; and is now widely regarded as the division's best defensive midfielder.
Speaking to the club website, Rodri described his decision to join the club as 'the best decision' of his career and explained why he decided to sign a new deal:
"Joining City in 2019 is the best decision I have made in my career. I have loved every second. The fans have been amazing with me, I feel totally supported by the club and the manager pushes me every single day."
"We have been very successful since I came here, which is something that makes me very proud. But to be honest, that success has made me even more hungry for me. Once you start winning big titles, you don’t want to stop."
"City, I feel, offers me the best chance of winning trophies and that’s why I am so pleased to be staying here for longer."
"It was an easy renewal for me, no doubts about continuing my steps here at the Etihad. I am very proud of what I have done [in] the last three years here and I want to change the history with this club. I think we have done amazing things in the last three years and we want more so I am very happy to continue here."
Rodri also thanked Guardiola and the backroom staff:
"I have improved so much as a player, and I want to thank Pep and all the backroom staff for their help. They are completely committed to helping me become the best player I can be, and I appreciate their hard work."
On City being his second family/home, Rodri said:
"I always thought since the first day I came here that this was my home. Of course, you need to adapt yourself to a new country and a new club but in my mind, I was also so happy being here at City. I think it is my second family and I feel that every day that I play at the Etihad."
On improving:
"If I can show the level I have in the last three years, I feel I can be even better. I am very happy with that, and I think the club think the same, which is why we have both agreed to continue here. We are both happy. There is no better place to be. I always think that I am still 26, I am still a long way from retiring. I have reached a very good level and I think I have a lot I can improve on. That’s the idea. I am the kind of player who wants to always be better and better."
On Guardiola's influence, Rodri said:
"I think the fact that he played in my position and understands everything that happens in my head and all moments is good. Also, the communication and the feeling between the manager and the player [is good] and I have a great connection with him, a great atmosphere and we both understand [each other]. I remember the first year he was on me to improve, but in the last year-and-a-half, he has left me more to myself because I started doing my own mechanisms and understanding. It is good the confidence we have in each other, and it is one of the reasons that made me continue here."
On being a leader:
"Every year you are older and have more experience. I have tried to be a leader since I came. You have big names in the locker room who have to do that job, but now I feel I can do that. I put that responsibility on myself, to try and push every player to be better every day. That is the only way to succeed. It is not an easy task, but it is something I have to do. I feel it is my role in the team, but I still have to improve to manage these situations."
On new acquisition and fellow holding midfielder Kalvin Phillips, Rodri said:
"He is a great player. We saw that at Leeds. We need this kind of player because when Fernandinho left we need physical players who can play holding midfielder and in forward positions. We need this kind of player, so I think it is a great signing. I think we have made four great signings. The team always tries to get better, and you need new players [to do that] of course."
On Rodri's new contract, Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said:
"Rodri has been exceptional since coming here, so I am delighted we have managed to agree this new deal. He is the perfect example of what a top professional should be: he has a fantastic attitude, lives his life in the right way, takes care of his body and trains hard every single day. That is a manager’s dream, and I know Pep loves working with him. He has improved a lot since coming here and, for me, he is now one of the best in the world in his position."
Elsewhere, Callum Doyle has joined Coventry City in the Championship on a season-long loan from City after the 18-year-old central defender enjoyed a successful loan spell with Sunderland in the last campaign that saw the club promoted from League One.
Written by: @NA1907
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