After an impressive 2018-2019 season with Atletico Madrid, Pep Guardiola made Rodri Manchester City’s most expensive signing ever as he sought a long-term replacement for Fernandinho.
The 23-year-old came through Atletico Madrid’s youth system at the age of 11, but joined Villarreal in 2013 before making a return to the Wanda Metropolitano at the start of last season.
Rodri has made a bright start to life in Manchester, appearing in all eight Premier League games this season while registering his first goal for the champions in their shock 3-2 defeat to Norwich City last month.
"It wasn't an easy decision to leave, because I was very happy with Atletico," Rodri explained in an interview with ESPN.
"I was at home with my family and playing for the team I've always loved, I was also playing well. "It was difficult, but I thought it was the right time to accept this challenge and now I'm here and very happy to have made that decision."
The Spaniard is yet to have a feel of the Manchester Derby, but he believes Liverpool pose the greatest challenge to City’s domestic dominance having faced them in the Community Shield.
"I don't know, I've never been to Manchester before. I don't know how the people here feel the rivalries, but the team to beat now is Liverpool, and that has been seen in the last two seasons”.
“They are a great team, they have improved many things and they are the best team in England and in Europe. They are the champions of Europe, so everyone wants to beat them, not just us. "
