Ellen White
Former England striker on 5 Live

I think it's a transition, with a new manager.

Rodri was huge in the way they played, [he controlled the] build-up and I think that's a huge loss for them.

It's obviously understanding what Maresca wants, and it's tough to understand that philosophy [so quickly].

A lot of the players have been in the World Cup as well, so they're coming late into the pre-season.

I think Ruben Dias actually said it's a bit of a transition for him after the game [3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield]. So, if the players feel it as well, that's going to transition into the pitch.

I think they need time and then they need someone in that midfield that's dominant, knows how Man City play, builds the rhythm and connects the team.

Rodri was that for them and that's a huge loss for City [as a whole] and a huge impact on their midfield as well.

Image source, Getty Images

Ayyoub Bouaddi is no stranger to making headlines.

In 2023, at just 16 years and three days old, he made his senior debut for Lille in a Europa Conference League match.

Since then, Bouaddi has gone from strength to strength, establishing himself as a key part of an exciting Lille side that has finished second and third in Ligue 1 over the past two seasons.

In total, the central midfielder has made 96 senior appearances at club level. That figure is expected to surpass 100 before he turns 19 in October.

As if his success in Ligue 1 were not enough, he was also one of the breakout stars of this summer's World Cup, featuring in all five of Morocco's matches as they progressed to the last-16 stage.

It is little wonder he is being linked with a big-money move to Manchester City?

So Izzy Christiansen says that who Manchester City bring in to bolster their midfield during the transfer window could be the key to their transition under new manager Enzo Maresca.

But would it be wrong to expect 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi to shoulder such a burden?

Is the prodigious Morocco talent a player for now, or one for the future?

Send us your thoughts or questions for our reporters using the Get Involved button...

Image source, Getty Images

Izzy Christiansen believes the evolution of Manchester City's midfield under new manager Enzo Maresca will be "interesting" to monitor following their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in Sunday's Community Shield.

"In Maresca's post-match interview he sounded calm and collected, which is the managerial style he has displayed at Chelsea and Leicester City," said Christiansen on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"He knows the job that he has and if they can transition whilst still qualifying for Europe or being title contenders then that's huge success.

"Regardless of what is happening with Rodri, the midfield is the most interesting area of the team. He finished with Nico Gonzalez, Rayan Cherki and Rico Lewis which didn't look right.

"He was probably protecting Elliot Anderson in terms of minutes, and Phil Foden didn't see the game through, but I question how he is going to evolve that midfield without Rodri.

"There will be eyes on them until the transfer window shuts to see who they replace Rodri with, should he depart, and that will be key."

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Ayyoub Bouaddi impressed at this summer's World Cup - starting all of Morocco's five matches in their run to the quarter-finals - after a starring role in Lille's Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024 announced him on the big stage.

He functions as a deep-lying conductor and would complement summer signing Elliot Anderson, who is comfortable as a box-to-box midfielder as well as the number six role he plays for England.

Bouaddi has played 88 times for Lille since making his debut in October 2023, three days after his 16th birthday, and helped them finish third in Ligue 1 last season.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Manchester City have entered into advanced talks with Lille over a move for Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The Premier League side want to conclude the midfielder's transfer this week following their agreement to sell Rodri to Barcelona.

It is understood Lille value the 18-year-old at 100 million euros (£85.6m).

It remains to be seen how a successful move for Bouaddi would impact City's interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, but well-placed sources maintain that City boss Enzo Maresca retains a strong interest in the Argentina midfielder.

Image source, Getty Images

While you ponder that, let's head back to Manchester City...

What do you think about Guglielmo Vicario's proposed loan move to Juventus?

A good move for both Tottenham and the player, or would you rather the Italian goalkeeper stayed to fight for the number one spot?

If you believe Spurs need to replace him, then who should they go for?

Send us your thoughts using the Get Involved button.

And remember, you can also send in a question for the BBC Sport reporters.

Thanks.

With Antonin Kinsky stepping up to take the number one jersey at the end of last season, and experienced stopper Martin Dubravka signing on a free transfer over the summer, the question is whether Tottenham need to further bolster their goalkeeping ranks?

Tottenham Hotspur

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham signed Guglielmo Vicario in 2023 from Serie A side Empoli for a fee of around £17.2m.

He was the second signing for then manager Ange Postecoglou, brought in to replace Hugo Lloris, who left the club in 2024.

The Italy international's contract with Spurs is set to end in 2028.

He won the Europa League in 2025 with Tottenham and made 117 appearances for the club.

Vicario started his career at Udinese and had spells at Cagliari, Perugia and Venezia before joining Empoli in July 2021 following their promotion to Serie A.

Tottenham, meanwhile, bolstered their goalkeeping ranks over the summer, putting further pressure on Guglielmo Vicario's place in the squad.

They secured the signing of former Newcastle United keeper Martin Dubravka on a free transfer, following the Slovakian's departure from relegated Burnley.

Vicario made 43 appearances for Spurs last season but lost his place in the starting line-up to Antonin Kinsky and played his last game for the club on 22 March.

Here are the goalkeeper options Spurs have available to them:

• Antonin Kinsky
• Brandon Austin
• Martin Dubravka

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Despite Aston Villa's breakdown in talks with Juventus over Emiliano Martinez's potential move, Unai Emery's side are still closing in on the signing of Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

Japan international Suzuki has been one of Villa's top targets and the deal, reportedly for around £30m, is progressing.

Suzuki was born in America but qualifies for Japan through his mother and played all four of their matches at the World Cup this summer.

The 23-year-old has made 59 appearances for Parma since joining from J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds in 2024.

Image source, Getty Images

The news of Juve's swoop for Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario follows a story that developed slowly overnight about a breakdown in talks between the Serie A side and Aston Villa over a deal for their Argentina stopper Emiliano Martinez.

The Athletic, external reported that the 33-year-old would not be joining Juventus this summer.

Reporter David Ornstein said that talks had reduced the price gap between the two clubs, but Villa were holding out for a flat fee of 10m euros (£8.6m) while Juventus were only prepared to pay 7m euros (£6m) up front, even though they were willing to meet the overall fee with add-ons.

• Click here for a full round-up of today's transfer gossip.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport reporter

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is set to join Juventus on loan with an option to buy.

Juve have swooped in for the 29-year-old Italian after a deal for Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez fell through.

The option to buy is £8.6m but is not mandatory.

Image source, Getty Images

We are sure to return to Rodri later, but have a bit of breaking transfer news to bring you...

Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter on 5 Live

Losing Rodri is huge, and it showed yesterday in Manchester City's midfield performance [against Arsenal in their 3-0 defeat in the Community Shield].

They're going to struggle to do it, it was so open, and Arsenal dominated them quite easy really.

I know Arsenal strengthened in the transfer window and have a good midfield anyway, but Matteo Kovacic is not at the level of Rodri, and it really showed yesterday.

Elliot Anderson will take a little bit of time to settle, get up to speed and sharpness again after the World Cup.

We've seen City are looking at Enzo Fernandez, but, as Enzo Maresca said, Rodri is a World Cup winner and a Balon d'Or winner, so it's very hard to replace someone like that.

Image source, Getty Images

Back in February 2024, then Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola labelled Rodri "the best midfield player in the world by far".

Guardiola, who signed Rodri from Atletico Madrid in 2019, said: "It’s because he’s able to do everything.

"So the tempo he has, especially his character when the situation is going wrong, he steps forward to arrive to the box, go backwards, the ability to play short and long. He’s always ready.

“What a signing. Manchester City signed a player that is difficult to understand what we have done in recent years without him. It would’ve been difficult.”

Image source, Getty Images