Manchester City now have cover for Rodri but Nico is stll learning his role | OneFootball

Last season, from the moment that Rodri went down with an ACL injury, Manchester City struggled to cover the loss of their most important player. They brought Nico from FC Porto on the final day of the January transfer window. The Spanish midfielder is still learning how to play the role that Rodri plays for Pep Guardiola’s side.

But watching Nico play against AS Monaco and Burnley, it is clear that he is growing into his role at City. He is still learning the nuances of playing as a number six in Pep Guardiola’s side. But Manchester City now has cover for Rodri, and they are a better team for it.

Nico is growing into his role at Manchester City.

Nico has played well in Manchester City’s past two matches. He stepped into the Rodri role for Manchester City’s 5-1 win over Burnley. The Spanish midfielder had a good game and gave City the solid midfield base that they need. Against AS Monaco, Nico replaced Rodri on the hour mark. It isn’t a stretch to say that City played better with Nico on the pitch rather than a tired Rodri. The blot on Nico’s copybook against AS Monaco was the late penalty he conceded for his challenge on Eric Dier. But looking past that, it was clear that Nico is quickly growing as a number six for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Nico still needs to learn the nuances of playing as a number six for Manchester City. His out-of-possession work does need to be tidied up. But his positioning is getting better when City don’t have possession. In possession, Nico is growing into his role. He isn’t the threat that Rodri is going forward, but with his talent that will come. At times, Nico needs to be stronger in a duel, and on the ball, but that will come the more he plays.

All told, Nico is growing as a Manchester City midfielder. He is more than adequate cover for Rodri. Watching Nico’s recent growth, he can become an important player for Manchester City rather than just be a player who is simply just cover for Rodri.

Pep Guardiola has praised Nico’s recent performances ahead of Manchester City’s match against Brentford.

Manchester City take on Brentford this Sunday at the GTech Community Stadium. It is Manchester City’s final Premier League fixture ahead of the upcoming international break. Ahead of the match, Pep Guardiola praised Nico, but also acknowledged that the Spanish midfielder is still learning his role in the City lineup. Speaking on Nico, Pep Guardiola said: “Nico is so young and of course even when Rodri started, he struggled. It’s normal, when you come to a new environment, the problem is open, but Nico is Nico.”

“It has to be the talent for Nico because he can play more forward, in the early ages he played more forward at Barcelona. It has to be Nico.”

Manchester City now have adequate cover for Rodri. Nico has shown of late that he can fill the role that Rodri plays, and he is grasping what is required to be a number six in a Pep Guardiola side. Nico’s past two performances have been full of promise, and it looks like he is becoming an important midfielder for his team.