Key Insights:
– Rodri’s role is fundamental in Guardiola’s system, combining passing precision, defensive solidity, and possession control.
– The injury that ruled out the Ballon d’or holder for the rest of the season poses a significant tactical challenge for Manchester City.
– Thanks to our scouting tool, we identified potential replacements, all aged between 20 and 25, capable of seamlessly fitting into the Citizens’ style of play. We then focus on three of the most intriguing profiles: Pavlovic, Wieffer and Stiller.
Rodri Out: How to Identify the Ideal Replacement for the Heart of the Midfield
When a team like Manchester City loses a crucial player such as Rodri, the challenge is not merely replacing a position but preserving an entire philosophy of play. In Guardiola’s system, every piece is a critical component of a perfect mechanism, and the Spanish midfielder represents its core: from deep build-up play to ball recovery, from game tempo management to shielding the defense.
But how can such a high-caliber replacement be found on short notice? The answer lies in data and technology. With our innovative scouting tool, we employed a prompt-based approach to define the ideal profile for Rodri’s replacement.
Here is the first prompt we used:
“Find me a player that can replace Rodri at Manchester City, aged between 20 and 25, who has similar characteristics, who is not in a declining phase of his career. He must adapt to Guardiola’s game. Price range 27-80 million.”
After this step, our tool processes the query and outputs a scouting report along with a player shortlist based on requirements.
“To find a suitable replacement for Rodri at Manchester City, we need a player who can fit into Guardiola’s possession-based style, characterised by high passing accuracy, ball retention, and defensive contributions. Rodri’s role as a central midfielder involves orchestrating play from deep, breaking up opposition attacks, and maintaining possession under pressure. Therefore, the ideal candidate should excel in passing, ball recovery, and defensive actions while being comfortable in a high-tempo, possession-oriented system. Given the request to avoid a Roaming Playmaker, we should focus on players who are more static in their positioning but excel in distribution and defensive duties. The selected player should be between 20 and 25 years old, ensuring they are not in a declining phase of their career, and within a price range of 30-80 million euros. The Buildup Director cluster fits this profile, as it includes midfielders who are key organizers in ball distribution and also contribute defensively. This aligns with Guardiola’s tactical demands at Manchester City, where the team ranks highly in total passes per 90 and field tilt, indicating a strong emphasis on controlling the game through possession. The selected stats focus on passing accuracy, possession retention, and defensive contributions, ensuring the player can seamlessly integrate into Manchester City’s style of play.”
The tool identified the ideal cluster: the “Buildup Director,” which includes midfielders proficient in game organization, defensive support, and integration within advanced possession systems like Manchester City’s.
Finally, here’s the list of 10 players that satisfy the search criteria:
- Enzo Fernández (23) – Chelsea
- Ryan Gravenberch (22) – Liverpool
- Mats Wieffer (25) – Brighton & Hove Albion
- Youssouf Fofana (25) – AC Milan
- João Neves (20) – Paris Saint-Germain
- Moisés Caicedo (23) – Chelsea
- Khéphren Thuram (23) – Juventus
- Aleksandar Pavlovic (20) – FC Bayern München
- Angelo Stiller (23) – Stuttgart
- Éderson (25) – Atalanta
In the following sections, we will focus on three of the most intriguing players from this list who might be realistic transfer targets for the January window, delving into their technical attributes, team context, and potential adaptation to Manchester City. Let’s discover who might become the next orchestrator in the Citizens’ midfield!
Rodri vs Pavlovic
Aleksandar Pavlovic’s performances this season highlight a player with significant potential to integrate into a high-tempo, possession-oriented system like Manchester City’s. While certain areas such as interceptions and open one-two combinations could benefit from refinement, his strengths in passing, progression, and counter-pressing make him a compelling candidate to fill Rodri’s void.
Aleksandar Pavlovic has emerged as a standout player for FC Bayern München in the Bundesliga during the 2024 season. With 571 minutes played across nine appearances, Pavlovic has predominantly operated as a central midfielder. In these matches, he has contributed one goal but remains without an assist. His role within the team emphasizes facilitating play and maintaining possession rather than direct offensive contributions.
From the comparison radar, we can analyze Aleksandar Pavlovic’s performances during the first half of the current season and compare them with Rodri’s statistics from last season. The Spanish midfielder stands out in several metrics, including open play xA creation per 90 minutes, progressive carries per 90 minutes, long pass accuracy, and the percentage of team touches. These are pivotal areas that underscore Rodri’s influence in orchestrating Guardiola’s system.
On the other hand, Monaco’s rising star has slightly better ball retention percentage, short pass accuracy, and counter-pressing actions. Interestingly, both players exhibit similar statistics in progressive passes per 90 minutes and defensive contributions, with tackles and interceptions per 1,000 events being almost identical. This balanced profile highlights Pavlovic’s potential as a structured yet dynamic option for Guardiola’s midfield
Offensive Phase: Passing and Ball Progression
In the build-up and passing phase, Pavlovic ranks among the best across all metrics. He particularly excels in possession retention percentage, where he leads the Bundesliga. He also stands out in the number of passes completed per 90 minutes and short pass accuracy, reflecting his reliability in circulating the ball effectively in tight spaces.
When it comes to ball progression, Pavlovic shines in the number of progressive passes per 90 minutes and xT generated from passes per 90 minutes. This demonstrates his ability to move the ball into advanced areas with precision. Regarding one-two combinations with teammates, Pavlovic ranks above-average for one-twos closed but below-average for one-twos opened per 90 minutes. This is in line with his role, as one-twos are typically opened by wide players and closed by central players.
Defensive Phase: Pressing and Ball Recovery
In the defensive phase, particularly in pressing, Pavlovic ranks among the top players for counter-pressing actions per 90 minutes and tackles outside the defensive third per 90 minutes. This shows his aptitude for applying pressure high up the field and disrupting opponents’ build-up play. He also excels in ball recoveries and successful tackles, positioning himself as a reliable option in regaining possession for his team.
However, there is room for improvement in interception metrics, where Pavlovic ranks in the lower tier within his league. While this may reflect his positional focus on pressing and tackling, enhancing his ability to read the game and anticipate passes could elevate his overall defensive profile.
Rodri vs Wieffer
Mats Wieffer stands out as a defensively robust midfielder with a solid foundation in passing and build-up play. While his offensive contributions and ball progression metrics may not yet be at the level of a player like Rodri, his defensive reliability and adaptability make him a compelling option. With targeted development in his offensive game, Wieffer could evolve into a more complete midfielder, capable of excelling in possession-oriented systems. His current strengths suggest he could be a valuable asset for a team looking to bolster its defensive midfield while maintaining a strong emphasis on ball retention and distribution.
Mats Wieffer has been a standout player for Brighton and Hove Albion in the 2024 Premier League season. Over the course of 13 appearances, he has accumulated 467 minutes on the pitch, primarily operating as a central midfielder. During this time, Wieffer has contributed 1 goal and 2 assists, demonstrating his ability to impact the game both in terms of scoring and creating opportunities for his teammates.
From the comparison radar, we can analyze Wieffer’s performances during the first part of the season and compare them with Rodri’s statistics from last season. The radar highlights how Wieffer excels over Rodri in defensive metrics, particularly in Tackles and Interceptions per 1,000 touches. These are key indicators of his ability to disrupt opposition play and regain possession effectively.
In other metrics, however, the Dutchman currently falls short of Rodri. Despite this, there are specific areas where Wieffer shows promise. He stands out for his accuracy in both short and long passes, progressive passes per 90 minutes, and the percentage of team touches he commands. This indicates his involvement in Brighton’s build-up play and his role in dictating tempo.
On the downside, Wieffer shows some weaknesses in creating expected assists (xA) from open play per 90 minutes and in progressive carries per 90 minutes, suggesting room for growth in his offensive contributions and ball progression.
Offensive Phase: Passing and Ball Progression
Despite the radar painting a picture of a predominantly defensive player, Wieffer demonstrates commendable qualities in build-up play and passing. He ranks in the upper-middle tier for several metrics, including the number of passes per 90 minutes, long pass accuracy, and the percentage of total team touches. This highlights his active involvement in Brighton’s possession-based system, where he often acts as a reliable outlet for maintaining and distributing the ball.
However, Wieffer’s short pass accuracy and ball retention percentage leave room for improvement. These areas are crucial for a midfielder in a possession-oriented team, suggesting that enhancing his precision in tight spaces could elevate his overall effectiveness.
In terms of ball progression, Wieffer displays mixed results. He ranks above-average for closed one-twos per 90 minutes, indicating his ability to link up with teammates in confined areas. However, he lags behind in other metrics, such as progressive passes and carries. This places him in the lower-middle tier for advancing the ball and orchestrating forward movements, suggesting a more limited role in driving the team’s offensive actions.
Defensive Phase: Pressing and Ball Recovery
As previously highlighted in the radar, Wieffer truly shines in defensive actions. His pressing metrics are particularly impressive; he leads the Premier League in tackles outside the defensive third per 90 minutes. This underscores his effectiveness in applying pressure high up the pitch, disrupting opponents’ build-up play before it gains momentum.
He also ranks slightly above-average for counterpressing actions per 90 minutes, reflecting a balanced approach to when and where he applies pressure. His defensive timing and positional awareness are evident in these metrics, showcasing his ability to adapt to various phases of the game.
When it comes to defensive actions, Wieffer consistently ranks above-average across multiple metrics. He excels in ball recoveries and tackles won, emphasizing his resilience and ability to regain possession in crucial moments. This reliability in defensive duels makes him a valuable asset, especially against teams that rely on quick transitions or intricate passing in midfield.
Rodri vs Stiller
Angelo Stiller’s profile presents an intriguing mix of strengths and areas for development. His proficiency in passing and ball progression mirrors Rodri’s influence in Manchester City’s system, making him a viable option for controlling possession and facilitating attacking transitions. However, his defensive contributions, particularly in pressing and ball recovery, fall short of the standards set by the Spanish midfielder.
Stiller’s potential to grow into a more complete player is evident, especially if he can address his defensive shortcomings. With his strong foundation in offensive metrics, he could become a valuable asset for a possession-dominant team like Manchester City, provided he receives the tactical guidance and developmental opportunities to refine his all-around game.
Angelo Stiller has been a pivotal player for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga during the 2024 season. Over 15 appearances, he has clocked 1,287 minutes, firmly establishing himself as a key figure in the midfield. While Stiller has not scored this season, he has registered two assists, highlighting his capability to contribute to the team’s offensive efforts. Operating primarily as a central midfielder, his role demands active participation in both the defensive and attacking phases, making him a well-rounded presence in Stuttgart’s system.
From this comparison radar, we can analyze Angelo Stiller’s performances during the first half of the current season and compare them with Rodri’s statistics from last season. Although the Spanish midfielder outperforms Stiller in most metrics, the overall similarity in radar shapes suggests that the two players possess comparable characteristics in their playing style and contributions.
Stiller closely matches Rodri in short pass accuracy, possession retention percentage, and open play xA creation per 90 minutes. However, he lags behind in counter-pressing actions per 1,000 touches and progressive carries per 90 minutes, indicating room for improvement in these areas.
Offensive Phase: Passing and Ball Progression
In the build-up and passing phase, Stiller stands out as one of the Bundesliga’s top performers across all analyzed metrics. His high number of passes per 90 minutes and the percentage of team touches underscore his centrality in Stuttgart’s possession-based approach. His ability to act as a consistent conduit for the ball reflects his importance in orchestrating the team’s play.
Stiller also excels in ball progression, ranking among the league’s best in metrics such as xT generated from passes per 90 minutes and progressive passes per 90 minutes. These attributes highlight his ability to advance play into dangerous areas, effectively transforming possession into attacking opportunities. His precision and vision make him a vital asset in transitioning from the build-up to the final third.
Defensive Phase: Pressing and Ball Recovery
Stiller’s defensive metrics, however, reveal certain limitations. He ranks below-average for tackles outside the defensive third per 90 minutes and counter-pressing actions, suggesting that his pressing intensity and ability to disrupt opponents in advanced areas could be further refined.
His tackling and ball recovery metrics are also relatively average, placing him in the mid-tier among his peers in the Bundesliga. While he demonstrates moderate effectiveness in regaining possession, particularly in the attacking third, his performance in interceptions and defensive duels indicates room for improvement.
Final Recommendation: Who Should Replace Rodri at Manchester City?
Analyzing the profiles of Aleksandar Pavlovic, Mats Wieffer, and Angelo Stiller, we can see how each player brings unique qualities to the table, while also having certain limitations when compared to Rodri’s exceptional all-around game. Let’s summarize their strengths and suitability for Pep Guardiola’s system.
Aleksandar Pavlovic
Pavlovic shines with his composure on the ball and his ability to dictate play from deep midfield areas. His short passing accuracy and ball retention percentage rank among the best, making him a reliable option in possession-heavy systems. Furthermore, he matches Rodri in key defensive metrics like tackles and interceptions per 1,000 events. However, Pavlovic falls slightly short in progressive carries and long passing accuracy, areas critical to Manchester City’s dynamic transitions.
Mats Wieffer
Wieffer is the most defensively robust of the three candidates, excelling in tackles, interceptions, and pressing actions, particularly outside the defensive third. His ability to recover possession and disrupt opposition play makes him a standout in high-intensity situations. However, his passing metrics, while solid, do not fully meet the standards expected in Guardiola’s highly demanding possession-based system. His limitations in progressive passing and ball progression also raise questions about his suitability as the sole orchestrator in midfield.
Angelo Stiller
Stiller’s profile presents an intriguing mix of strengths and areas for development. His proficiency in passing and ball progression mirrors Rodri’s influence in Manchester City’s system, making him a viable option for controlling possession and facilitating attacking transitions. He excels in short passing accuracy, possession retention, and progressive passes, highlighting his importance in moving the ball effectively into advanced areas.
However, Stiller’s defensive contributions fall short of the standards set by Rodri. He ranks lower in counter-pressing actions and tackles outside the defensive third, which are essential for Guardiola’s high-pressing system. While he demonstrates some effectiveness in regaining possession, particularly in the attacking third, his interception metrics indicate a need for improvement in reading the game and disrupting opposition plays.
The Verdict: Pavlovic, the Ideal Winter Signing
While all three players bring valuable traits to the table, Aleksandar Pavlovic emerges as the most well-rounded option to replace Rodri. His ability to balance defensive contributions with excellent short passing and possession retention makes him the closest match to Rodri’s profile. Although he has room to grow in certain areas, Pavlovic’s skill set and age (20 years) provide Guardiola with a player who can not only cover for Rodri’s absence but also develop into a long-term solution in the central midfield role.
For Manchester City, Pavlovic represents a player capable of adapting to the club’s tactical philosophy while offering immediate and impactful contributions, making him the prime candidate for this crucial winter signing.
Thanks!
Learn more about xvalue, the go-to analytics platform for scouting and match analysis 👉🏻 xvalue.ai
Stay tuned and don’t miss out on the latest updates and insights from Soccerment!
Italian 
English
Lascia un commento