Manchester City’s Rodri has been named by Torino and Italy international Samuele Ricci as a key figure of ‘inspiration’ for him in the game.
The Spanish midfielder has been at the very forefront of Manchester City’s wide-ranging successes throughout the game over the last few seasons, and is viewed as the finest midfield player on the planet at present.
Unfortunately for both Rodri and Manchester City, as well as football fans appreciative of his abilities from across the globe, the 2024/25 season is already over for the Spaniard after he sustained damage to his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in September.
That has not only forced Pep Guardiola to seek out fresh alternatives within his existing squad to cope without the player, but also Manchester City officials to scour the transfer market for potential candidates to invest in and take on Rodri’s responsibilities.
Among the options that may be considered for the upcoming January transfer window is 23-year-old Samuele Ricci, who has been developing to a high standard at both club and international level over the last few months and years.
“I take inspiration from Rodri, but I try to take inspiration from everyone,” Ricci admitted.
He continued, “I look a lot at the role of the midfielder, the fact of turning your head which is a very important thing and finding the right space, not dropping too low, which maybe I did wrong in the first games by wanting to touch the ball.
“But then you go and occupy spaces that maybe at that moment aren’t even important, maybe you have to stay higher even by a few meters which are important.”
Both Samuele Ricci himself and his club have remained tight-lipped on the prospect of transfer interest from Manchester City, among other clubs across Europe, when quizzed on the subject in recent press conferences.
Torino’s director, Davide Vagnati explained earlier this month, “I won’t comment on Manchester City.
“We signed Ricci very young, an important investment, spent big money,” he continued. “He believed in his work, improved physically, had vision, and he is capable of playing for any coach or club.”
