Rodri has long been considered the top holding midfielder in the league, but that may no longer be the case.
The Spaniard, who has been a key part of Pep Guardiola’s setup for years, reached the height of his game last season and was recognised with a 2024 Ballon d’Or win.
But his time out with an ACL injury at the start of this season opened the door for others to make their mark.
For instance, pundit Stewart Robson now believes Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch has overtaken Rodri as the Premier League’s top number six, though he points out it has more to do with the Spanish star not hitting his usual standards since returning from injury.
Ryan Gravenberch steps into the spotlight while Rodri works his way back
Rodri has said he feels like he is getting back to his best, though it is clear the process will take time. Right now, his focus remains on helping Manchester City pick up results whenever he is on the pitch.
Asked whether Gravenberch has moved ahead of Rodri in the pecking order, Robson pointed out that while the Liverpool man has been playing well, it is just as much about Rodri not quite being himself yet.
“He played excellently last season. He’s playing excellently now. He looks to be full of confidence.
“He’s a good athlete, so he can get around the pitch. He can go and cover fullbacks. He can get in between centre halves. He can break forward when he needs to, as he did against Everton. He’s a decent passer.”
“So, at the moment, he probably is the best one because Rodri is not playing at his very best. Zubimendi is never going to be as good as Gravenberch because he can’t pass it forward,” he concluded.
Ryan Gravenberch’s 2024-25 season in numbers compared to Rodri
Rodri is held in high regard among his teammates at Man City, and there is little doubt that once he is back to full fitness, he will regain his place as the Premier League’s standout midfielder.
Right now, though, there is a strong argument to be made for Gravenberch. The Dutchman has been outstanding for Liverpool in the early part of the season and leads the Spaniard in several key areas.
| Rodri | Metric | Ryan Gravenberch |
| 4 | Games | 4 |
| 0 | Goals | 2 |
| 0 | Assists | 1 |
| 3 | Shots | 7 |
| 186 | Successful Passes | 223 |
| 2 | Chances Created | 6 |
| 3 | Succesful Dribbles | 6 |
| 22 | Duels Won | 21 |
| 2 | Interceptions | 3 |
| 20 | Recoveries | 21 |
| 4 | Dribbled Past | 3 |
The 23-year-old is already being tipped as a strong candidate for Liverpool’s Player of the Season, which would be quite an accomplishment if he manages to pull it off.
While Gravenberch might hold the title for now, it would not be surprising to see Rodri reclaim it once he gets back to his best.
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