TalkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara has declared that Manchester City midfielder Rodri is “better than” N’Golo Kante.

The Spanish international has been in phenomenal form over the past 12 months, and O’Hara claims that Rodri has more facets to his game than the former Leicester and Chelsea player:

“I’ve been talking about Rodri for a long time saying how good he is. He could get in a Premier League all-time eleven. I think he’s better than Kante.”

“If you’re talking about a holding midfielder, who you’d want in your team, Rodri or Kante, I’m picking Rodri. Kante can’t do what Rodri can do but Rodri can do what Kante can.”

Rodri is an outstanding all-round midfield player

The 27-year-old possesses a wide range of attributes which means he is capable of playing in a variety of different midfield roles.

Rodri has the anticipation, strength, power and positional awareness required to perform well as a No.6 but he does also have qualities that make him a very useful No. 8 too.

The Spaniard has a strong right foot, which allows him to score from long-range, and his aerial ability means he is also a threat from set-pieces. In that sense, O’Hara is right to say that Rodri is better than Kante, simply due to his sheer number of capabilities.

City found themselves a gem

It is no coincidence that City have managed to win 9 major trophies since Rodri’s arrival at the Etihad just over 4 years ago.

There were concerns about how the Citizens would replace Fernandinho who, like Kante, was known for covering every blade of grass and protecting the back four.

While Rodri doesn’t have the pace and energy of those two players, he is just as effective in his own unique way.

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