“I’m learning from you” – Rodri reveals yellow card trick learnt from Manchester City legend

Manchester City legend Fernandinho has revealed the tactical advice he has seemingly passed on to Pep Guardiola’s defensive midfield mainstay Rodri.

The Brazilian legend is widely regarded as being one of the finest defensive midfielders to ever grace the Premier League, since first arriving at Manchester City from Shakhtar Donetsk for a transfer fee in the region of £34 million.

As such, and after almost 400 appearances across all competitions for City, there was some element of concern as to how Etihad Stadium bosses would look to replace the player, in a period that also saw him claim 13 trophies with the club.

Manchester City turned to the Spanish game and Atletico Madrid, recruiting Rodrigo Hernandez from La Liga – also known as Rodri – to come in and learn from Fernandinho before taking on the reigns full time following the Brazilian’s exit.

At the time, Manchester City met Rodri’s €70 million release clause in the Spanish capital, enabling the midfielder to buy out the remainder of his contract and leave the club, with the fee paid being a new record for the Premier League side at the time.

Speaking during a recent exclusive conversation with the Denilson Show, Fernandinho has revealed his admiration for Manchester City’s Rodri, who in turn has admitted to a ‘little card’ trick adopted from the game of the Brazilian footballing legend.

“He’s good, he’s good. Fantastic player,” Fernandinho said of his successor at the Etihad Stadium.

“I talked to him these days when I was there, and he said, ‘I’m learning from you to give some kicks. Receive a little card to stay out.’ The man (Pep Guardiola) demands a lot in that position.”

Rodri has revolutionised the way Manchester City play their football since developing his game under Pep Guardiola, and is now widely viewed as an undroppable element of the Catalan coach’s system at the club.

Since arriving in the summer of 2019, Rodri has taken on almost 250 appearances across competitions scoring 24 goals and winning 10 trophies in that period, whilst also scoring the winning goal in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final.