'He literally won the Treble for City'published at 18:38 17 January
Mike Minay, BBC Radio Manchester
There was a banner present at the Etihad Stadium last season: 'Can we talk about Rodri?'.
So, now, can we talk about Rodri? HOW has he not got into that Fifa Best Men's XI?
This is a man who dictated the midfield of any game he was in throughout 2023. We have all seen the stats. When Rodri does not play, Manchester City do not win.
I do not want to talk down Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva or Jude Bellingham - the other three that made the midfield of the Best XI. Their 2023s were incredible with big moments in big games and their impeccable consistency constantly keeping their names in the headlines.
But no Rodri? I just do not get it.
If it was based across the year, then Rodri is a man who stepped up in big games and ended the year on a 49-game unbeaten run when he played.
If it was based on the second half of last season alone then he literally won the Treble for City. His goal against Inter Milan handed Manchester City their first Champions League.
There is a solution however. The model was based on a 4-3-3 formation. Let's go back to the classic 4-4-2.