Rodri provides honest verdict on Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes’ start to Manchester City life

Manchester City icon and defensive midfield mainstay Rodri has offered an honest verdict on the club’s two new faces in the centre of the park this week.

Txiki Begiristain and his colleagues secured the signings of two new midfielders during the summer transfer window of 2023, in a market that also saw Ilkay Gundogan bring an end to his illustrious stay in sky blue.

Mateo Kovacic became the first midfield name through the door, leaving Premier League rivals Chelsea for the reigning Premier League champions, while Matheus Nunes signed a deadline day move from Wolverhampton Wanderers following Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term injury.

However, there has perhaps not been a performance to date when Manchester City supporters were able to realise the true capabilities of the duo until the FIFA Club World Cup clash with Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds this week.

Speaking to the media after City’s comfortable 0-3 victory over Urawa Reds in Jeddah, and as quoted by ManCity.com, Rodri was keen to put praise on the pairing for their swift integration into the Etihad Stadium first-team set-up.

“I think he (Matheus Nunes) needed this (performance against Urawa Red Diamonds) for his confidence and to keep going. He’s a very good player,” admitted Rodri. “Very young of course. He provoked the first goal.”

The Spain international continued, “Mateo Kovacic, he also scored his first goal. Both of them are doing very good. We need them. We need them until the end of the season. They are going to be important players. I’m very happy for them. 

“We need the best of all of us. I hope we give our best in the final.”

Rodri is arguably Manchester City’s most indispensable player at present, proving to be a vital cog in Pep Guardiola’s complex midfield armoury and shielding a defence to great success, especially when partnered by John Stones.