Manchester City midfielder Rodri has showered praise on his Arsenal counterpart Declan Rice, naming the England international as one of his favourite players in the middle of the park right now.
The Spaniard has been tipped to win the Ballon d’Or this year after helping his side to a fourth consecutive Premier League title last season and winning the European Championship with his country earlier in the summer.
Rodri is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, but he insists the Arsenal star is also a solid player despite playing slightly further forward in midfield.
The Man City star also named Jorginho as a player he loves, with his time at Chelsea when he won the Champions League while at his peak something he adores.
The Italian won the elite European competition with the Blues in 2021 after winning the Europa League in 2019 before joining Arsenal in January 2023.
Jorginho was named the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2021, making the FIFA FIFPro World XI and finishing third in the 2021 Ballon d’Or ranking behind Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski.
Rodri is hoping to follow suit and secure some individual trophies, and Rice will also have similar dreams.
The 25-year-old made the PFA Team of the Year for the 2023-24 campaign and also won the 2024 London Football Premier League Player of the Year award following an impressive debut campaign with the Gunners.
Rice will now look to lead Arsenal to their first Premier League title since 2004 after they finished behind Man City last term.
However, stopping Rodri and Pep Guardiola’s side this season will not be an easy task, and the former West Ham United star and his teammates have to be on top of their game in the remaining 35 league games to have a chance.
