Manuel Pellegrini keeps counsel on Guido Rodríguez as Valencia move nears | OneFootball

Valencia have stepped up their winter business, Umar Sadiq has arrived and Unai Núñez has followed. According to Superdeporte, Guido Rodríguez will travel to Valencia within hours after parting company with West Ham to sign for the club.

The arrival would excite supporters, bringing a 2022 World Cup winner to Mestalla. His first game will be against Betis, the club he left after four and a half seasons to embark on a Premier League move.

Speaking before the Deportivo Alavés match, Manuel Pellegrini was asked about Rodríguez’s next destination. The Chilean declined to discuss players not linked to his team or their opponents, saying he felt fortunate to have coached Rodríguez and knows him well, but the rest was speculation he would not address.

When Pellegrini took charge, Rodríguez was still adapting to Spanish football. The coach leaned on his balance, tactical reading and reliability, and the midfielder became a structural piece of Betis.

Pellegrini’s Betis valued order. With the ball they sought calm and control, without it they needed a pivot to let creators roam. Rodríguez anchored the midfield in LaLiga and in Europe, including the Europa League and the Conference League.

That trust delivered continuity and a peak in 2021-22 with the Copa del Rey. The trophy reinforced his status and capped an unforgettable 2022 as he also lifted the World Cup with Argentina. His exit in summer 2024 closed a cycle that left a clear mark on Betis and on his rapport with Pellegrini.

Source: Superdeporte