Manchester City have the big characters amongst their squad to kick on from here | OneFootball

Alongside talent, it takes leadership, character, and big personalities to win the Premier League. Every side that has won the Premier League, be it Manchester City or any other club, has had the big characters and leaders required to inspire and lift their side when needed. Looking at the current City side, it is blessed with an array of strong characters and leaders. As the 25/26 season reaches a critical phase, you do sense that Pep Guardiola’s side may have an intangible that their rivals do not have as the pressure ramps up in the final months of this season.

Pep Guardiola has praised Rodri’s personality and believes it will be crucial through the backend of this season.

Speaking during his pre-game press conference yesterday ahead of Manchester City’s crucial Premier League fixture against Newcastle, Pep Guardiola praised Rodri’s personality and influence on his team. Guardiola also mentioned several other players with similar characteristics. Speaking on this aspect of Rodri’s play, Pep Guardiola said: “Rodri is Rodri. At his age he’s wiser and understands the game. There are players like Phil that say when he’s on the pitch, he’s not just a mate, he’s a manager and we are better, we feel better. That is experience and timing.”

“There are players who are defined on bigger stages in difficulties and Rodri is one of them. Like Bernie [Bernardo Silva], Ruben [Dias] and many I had in the past. That defines the biggest teams and clubs. We can’t achieve what we have without huge personalities.”

Outside of Rodri, Manchester City have a host of players with the character to stand up in the biggest moments.

Rodri’s influence on this Manchester City team, as a player and a leader, is well-documented. His credentials as one of the most important players that City have long been established. Rodri’s teammates walk taller when he is on the pitch and his presence and leadership are crucial to Pep Guardiola’s side. In Rodri, Manchester City have one of the most influential players in the game through his performances and leadership. But he isn’t the only big character amongst Pep Guardiola’s squad.

You can add Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma to this mix. Each player is a strong character who will not settle for anything less than the best. Each player drives the standards on the pitch at City. Pep Guardiola sets the template, and the big characters on the pitch ensure that it is followed. The other side of the big characters that Manchester City have is that in big moments they stand up. We saw this when City beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield just under two weeks ago. Bernardo Silva scored the equalizer to set up City’s comeback win. Erling Haaland converted the match-winning penalty when the stakes were at their highest. Gianluigi Donnarumma made one of the saves of the season to preserve City’s lead at Anfield. Each moment was made for big characters and personalities, and they each stood up. That trait, which was on show at Anfield, cannot be measured.

This Manchester City squad is filled with big characters and personalities who thrive when the stakes are at their highest. That could prove to be a vital element in this season’s title race. Pep Guardiola’s squad has the leaders who know when to stand up, and you do question if their rivals have similar in their ranks.