Rodri

Why Do People Hate Rodri?

Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known simply as Rodri, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City and the Spanish national team.

Despite being one of the best players in his position, Rodri has faced a significant amount of criticism and hate from fans and pundits alike. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this hate and try to understand why Rodri is such a polarizing figure in the world of football.

Early Career and Background

Rodri began his youth career with Atlético Madrid’s academy in 2007 at the age of 11. He spent seven years in the club’s youth system before making his professional debut for Atlético Madrid B in 2014.

After a successful loan spell at Villarreal, Rodri returned to Atlético Madrid’s first team in 2018, where he quickly established himself as a key player under Diego Simeone.

Atlético Madrid’s Style of Play

One of the reasons why Rodri faced criticism early in his career was due to Atlético Madrid’s defensive and pragmatic style of play under Diego Simeone.

Simeone’s teams are known for their strong defensive organization, intense pressing, and counterattacking football. While this approach has brought success to Atlético Madrid, it has also drawn criticism from fans and pundits who prefer a more attacking and entertaining style of play.

The Move to Manchester City

In the summer of 2019, Rodri made a high-profile move to Manchester City, joining the reigning Premier League champions for a club-record fee of £62.8 million. This transfer immediately put Rodri under the spotlight, and the expectations were high for the young Spaniard.

Filling the Shoes of Fernandinho

One of the biggest challenges for Rodri at Manchester City was filling the shoes of the legendary Fernandinho, who had been a key player in City’s midfield for several years.

Fernandinho was known for his defensive solidity, positioning, and ability to break up opposition attacks. Rodri was tasked with replicating these qualities while also providing a more creative presence in midfield.

Adapting to Pep Guardiola’s Style

Another challenge for Rodri was adapting to Pep Guardiola’s possession-based and attacking style of play. Guardiola’s teams are known for their high intensity, constant pressing, and intricate passing patterns. Rodri had to quickly adjust to these demands, which were quite different from the more pragmatic approach he was accustomed to at Atlético Madrid.

The Hate and Criticism

Despite his undoubted talent and potential, Rodri has faced a significant amount of hate and criticism from fans and pundits alike. Here are some of the main reasons behind this hate:

Perceived Lack of Defensive Solidity

One of the main criticisms leveled at Rodri is his perceived lack of defensive solidity. Some fans and pundits believe that he is not as effective as Fernandinho in breaking up opposition attacks and protecting the defense.

This criticism is often leveled when Manchester City concedes goals or struggles defensively, with Rodri being singled out as the weak link in the team’s defensive setup.

Lack of Creativity and Forward Passing

Another criticism of Rodri is his perceived lack of creativity and forward passing. While he is excellent at retaining possession and recycling the ball, some fans and pundits believe that he is too conservative in his passing and does not contribute enough to Manchester City’s attacking play.

This criticism is often amplified when City struggles to break down defensive opposition or when Rodri fails to provide the killer pass in the final third.

Perceived Lack of Leadership and Presence

Despite being a key player for Manchester City, some fans and pundits believe that Rodri lacks the leadership and presence required of a top-level defensive midfielder. They argue that he is too passive on the field and does not impose himself enough on the game, especially in high-pressure situations.

Comparisons to Other Midfielders

Rodri has also faced criticism due to comparisons with other top-level defensive midfielders, such as N’Golo Kante, Casemiro, and Fabinho. While these comparisons are often subjective, some fans and pundits believe that Rodri falls short of these players in terms of defensive solidity, work rate, and overall impact on the game.

Rodri’s Strengths and Attributes

Despite the hate and criticism, it’s important to acknowledge Rodri’s strengths and attributes as a player. Here are some of the key areas where he excels:

Passing Ability and Ball Retention

One of Rodri’s standout qualities is his passing ability and ball retention. He is excellent at receiving the ball under pressure, maintaining composure, and picking out the right pass to keep possession ticking over. This quality is crucial in Pep Guardiola’s system, which relies heavily on maintaining control of the game through possession.

Tactical Awareness and Positioning

Rodri is also praised for his tactical awareness and positioning. He has an excellent understanding of when to drop deeper or push higher up the pitch, depending on the game situation. This awareness and positioning are essential in providing defensive cover for the back four and creating numerical superiority in midfield.

Aerial Ability and Physical Presence

Despite being criticized for his perceived lack of defensive solidity, Rodri is actually an excellent aerial presence and has a strong physical presence on the field. He is adept at winning aerial duels and is not afraid to put his body on the line in defensive situations.

Work Rate and Discipline

Another strength of Rodri’s is his work rate and discipline. He is always willing to put in the hard yards for the team, tracking back and pressing opposition players relentlessly. This work rate and discipline are essential in Guardiola’s high-intensity system and help to create a solid defensive base for Manchester City.

Rodri’s Impact and Achievements

Despite the hate and criticism, it’s important to recognize Rodri’s impact and achievements since joining Manchester City. Here are some of the key highlights:

Trophies and Titles

Since joining Manchester City in 2019, Rodri has already won several major trophies, including:

  • Premier League (2021-22, 2022-23)
  • FA Cup (2022-23)
  • EFL Cup (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22)

This level of success is a testament to Rodri’s quality and contribution to the team’s overall performance.

Individual Accolades

In addition to team success, Rodri has also received individual recognition for his performances. In the 2021-22 season, he was named in the Premier League Team of the Year and was also included in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season.

Statistical Impact

Rodri’s impact can also be seen in his statistical contributions. In the 2022-23 season, he has averaged 87.8 passes per game with an impressive accuracy of 91.4%. He has also won 59.1% of his aerial duels and made 1.5 tackles per game, highlighting his defensive contributions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the hate and criticism directed towards Rodri are a complex issue with multiple factors at play. While some of the criticisms may be valid, it’s important to recognize that Rodri is a highly talented and impactful player who has made significant contributions to Manchester City’s success.

Ultimately, the hate towards Rodri may stem from a combination of factors, including unrealistic expectations, comparisons to other midfielders, and subjective opinions on his style of play. However, his achievements, statistics, and individual accolades speak volumes about his quality and importance to Manchester City.

As with any player, Rodri has areas for improvement, but the level of hate and criticism he has faced seems disproportionate to his actual performances on the field. Perhaps it’s time for fans and pundits to appreciate Rodri for the exceptional player he is and recognize the unique qualities he brings to Manchester City’s midfield.

FAQs

Why do some fans perceive Rodri as lacking defensive solidity?

While Rodri may not be as defensively aggressive as some other defensive midfielders, he excels in positioning, tactical awareness, and breaking up opposition attacks through his reading of the game. His defensive contributions may be more subtle but are no less effective.

Is the criticism about Rodri’s lack of creativity and forward passing fair?

This criticism may have some merit, as Rodri’s primary role is to provide defensive stability and ball retention rather than direct attacking contributions. However, he has shown the ability to pick out incisive forward passes when the opportunity arises, and his overall contribution to Manchester City’s build-up play should not be underestimated.

How does Rodri compare to other top defensive midfielders like N’Golo Kante and Casemiro?

While comparisons are inevitable, it’s important to recognize that each player brings a unique set of strengths and attributes to their respective teams. Rodri may not be as defensively aggressive as Kante or as physically imposing as Casemiro, but his technical ability, tactical awareness, and ball retention are among the best in the world.

What impact has Rodri had on Manchester City’s success since joining the club?

Rodri has been a key part of Manchester City’s continued domestic success, winning multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and EFL Cups since his arrival. His contributions in midfield have helped provide a solid foundation for City’s attacking prowess and possession-based style of play.

How can Rodri improve to address some of the criticisms leveled against him?

While Rodri is already an exceptional player, there are always areas for improvement. He could potentially work on adding more aggression and physical presence to his defensive game, while also continuing to develop his forward passing and attacking contributions. However, it’s important that he maintains his current strengths and doesn’t compromise his overall game in an attempt to address specific criticisms.

Tables

Here are some tables related to Rodri’s performance and achievements at Manchester City:

Rodri’s Premier League Statistics (2022-23 Season)

StatisticValue
Appearances32
Minutes Played2,715
Goals2
Assists4
Passes Per Game87.8
Pass Accuracy91.4%
Aerial Duels Won59.1%
Tackles Per Game1.5
Interceptions Per Game1.2

Rodri’s Trophies at Manchester City

TrophySeason(s)
Premier League2021-22, 2022-23
FA Cup2022-23
EFL Cup2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22

Rodri’s Individual Accolades

AccoladeSeason
Premier League Team of the Year2021-22
UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season2021-22

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