Rodrigo Hernandez : From Side Passes To Forward Passes

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was hopeful after City signed Rodrigo for a 63 million price tag in the summer of the 2019-20 season. Although the start of his City career was quite slow. But in just two seasons he has taken himself to another height, becoming one of the best holding midfielders in the world under Pep Guardiola. Rodrigo, who was once convicted of passing from left to right, is now an integral part of the City team. Incidentally, Rodri is considered by many to be a defensive midfielder. In fact, there is no defensive midfielder in City's playing style, all there is is a holding midfielder. And Rodri is usually the holding midfielder. Now the difference between a defensive midfielder and a holding midfielder is another story. Today's story is the story of City's playmaker and defensive shield Rodrigo Hernandez.

Even City rival Manchester United legend Gary Neville recently praised Rodri. Rodri is City's game controller this season. Be it as a bridge between the defense and the attacker or as the initiator of the attack. Things like the stunner goal against Everton or Fabinho's almost goal scoring tackle has often been the headlines this season. From incredible control of the ball to perfect passing, from tight situations to ball positioning, second ball wins, defensive tackles and setting the tempo of the match for the team. Rodri is doing all the work of a holding mid.

Rodri being so indespensable hasn't been overnight. There have been a number of problems, including incorrect positioning and error, to adapt to the Premier League. The contribution of coach Pep Guardiola is undeniable. Improving Rodri's mentality or creating a competitive spirit in him or encouraging him to be fully dedicated in training are all Guardiola's achievements. Because no matter how much Pep experimented, it must be admitted that he is incredibly good at creating world class midfielders. There has also been an increase in forward passing over Rodri's side passes from previous seasons. Where the number of forward passes is almost double the number of his side passes. With the ball on his feet, Rodri knows exactly where there is space for attack and at what tempo to control the game. A holding midfielder sometimes has to touch the ball 5 times, sometimes 1 time or sometimes 3 times. And Rodrigo is doing just that this season, controlling the tempo of City's game. Statistics show that Rodri's pass number in PL alone is 1400+, with a successful passing rate of 92.3% per matches and 1 key pass in per matches. And on an average of about 5 successful long passes per match, he is in the second place behind Alexander Arnold. These statistics show that Rodri also plays a playmaker for City, depending on the circumstances of the match.

In the Manchester City system, the job of a holding midfielder is not only to recover the ball, but also to give the linebreaking pass in the opposition half. Rodriguez has to operate far above the midfield line most of the time due to the dominance of City's posessional football, which is a much more advanced position than a traditional defensive midfielder. Against the busparking defensive team, Rodrigo also has to wait for the opportunity when their defensive shape will be lost, and he will put a forward ball.

City have always valued its holding midfielder for the team's ability to manage counter attacks. That's why Guardiola tells his holding midfielder to hold the position by roaming less from left to right. Rodri also has to operate more in the opposition half as he spends most of his time in the City opponent's half match. His main responsibility there is to win the ball in the opposition half and pass it. That's why Rodri won the ball the most in the attacking third among City players. When the team needs to sit back, when to win the ball by pressing, senses like these come through experience for a midfielder. Rodri had trouble understanding this in the first two seasons of City, but it has been slowly improving since last season, which has become more perfect this season. This season, Rodri has had more success among City players in interception, tackle, and ball blocks. With Aerial Dual and Second Ball Win, his sharpness has increased even more. It has also created a place of defensive reliance on Rodri. Without Rodri, City's midfield can't be thought of now. Because no matter who of Fernandinho/Gundogan starts instead, no one can give the same output from Rodri's position. That's why the City's backline has to fight relatively more in the face of a counter attack without Rodri, who works as a shield in City's defense. The statistics say the same thing. Without Rodri, City have faced 5 counter attacks in 3 matches, where the opponents have managed only 2 counter attacks in 18 matches in the presence of Rodri. It was once feared that Fernandinho's direct replacement would be difficult for the City, as his passing ability, the output of counter pressing resistance, might not be easily replaceable. City can't control the match completely without Rodri now, which is evident in last season's Champions League final and this season's defeat to Tottenham.

Pep will not repeat the same mistake as in the final. Rodri is now in the top row among the top tier holding mid. He is still only 25, and midfielders' prime time begins at just 26 years old. As such, Rodri has room for further improvement. Which will make him a more vital player for Manchester City, according to Pep.