Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Manchester City's endeavours to replace Rodri this summer will be "nigh on impossible".

The 30-year-old is set to sign a four-year contract with La Liga champions Barcelona in a deal worth about £65m.

"Elliot Anderson is a fine player and an excellent footballer but if you look at Manchester City's midfield over the main piece of Pep Guardiola's reign, they had experience, quality and depth," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"They had Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne, Fernandinho in the early days, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, so it does seem an area of concern.

"Don't get me wrong - City are still in a good position. Mateo Kovacic is a good player, Anderson has come in, Phil Foden wasn't quite on it last season and Rayan Cherki is still around.

"But are these players capable of matching or pipping Arsenal this season? That's the big question - and I'm not so sure they are at this moment in time.

"It does feel like City have more work to do in the transfer market. Ayyoub Bouaddi has been linked, but he is still a young player. I'm more interested in the Enzo Fernandez interest, he would be an excellent signing.

"These things are still 'ifs though, so it is a 'wait and see' thing right now."

However, former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart provided a different perspective on the unique situation.

Listen to his thoughts below or listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart believes nobody should be "heaping massive expectations" on new manager Enzo Maresca this season, especially if the club's hierarchy aren't "putting pressure on internally".

Last season saw Pep Guardiola bring an end to his 10-year reign at Etihad Stadium with a domestic cup double, handing over the baton to his former assistant manager.

"I do feel the club will want to be pushing on all fronts but I don't think the same sort of pressure will be on Maresca this season," Hart said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"Given all the names that have gone out of the door and all the names that aren't necessarily in the door yet, I don't think they will be putting pressure on internally. But, of course, there is always going to be the noise externally.

"However, the club has enough success in the bank and enough know-how to understand that the Premier League and the Champions League are really tough places to be.

"I don't think they are greedy enough to think second, third or fourth place - or even a more difficult season - is enough to say they have fallen off. They trust and believe in Maresca, they don't see him as a gamble."

Arsenal produced a statement win to lift the Community Shield on Sunday, as Manchester City underwhelmed in their first competitive match under Maresca.

"This is a very realistic club," Hart added. "It needs fresh eyes, but it also needs the old school to step up now to keep everyone calm and focused.

"I don't think Manchester City will overreact about the result. It was a poor game and some of the guys weren't playing with fluidity."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester City will have to pay Chelsea more than £120m to land Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez if they try to complete a deal in the final two weeks of the transfer window. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

City, Arsenal and Tottenham are all also interested in Pedro Neto, 26, who joined Chelsea for £54m from Wolves in 2024. (Metro), external

But the Blues want close to £100m if they are to sell the Portugal winger this summer. (Mail - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.

While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.

Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.

But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).

The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.

While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.

Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Rodri's likely exit and whether Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi would be a suitable replacement.

Here are some of your comments:

Harry: Bouaddi is deceptively experienced He's played more senior games at 18 than Rodri had played by 22. Is he a replacement? No, because Rodri is the best defensive midfielder in the world. But, he can rotate with Nico Gonzalez and develop over time. The market is terrible so we will have to develop our next defensive midfielder and Bouaddi could be it.

Tom: This is the only instance of our transfer policy where letting someone go before they start to deteriorate doesn't make sense. Selling the best player in the world to fill the gap with a younger, untested midfielder can/will backfire massively - and this will fall on the manager rather than the policy.

Andrew: Irresistible for Rodri to return home as World Cup-winning captain. Bouaddi looks technical and coachable. Enzo Fernandez - not a fan at all as he is a good but not great player. I love players with fight but he only seems to care about himself and Argentina.

Derek: Well, it's a new era. We've lost six experienced players since last season - some we can replace, but two we can't no matter who we get in. There must be other options aside from an untried 18-year-old and someone who I hope we don't get in Fernandez. But, that's for the powers at be. It remains to be seen who else could go too.

Brian: The sale of Rodri to Barcelona is very much about Rodri and his final grandstand years in football. Rodri is and always will be a City hero. Football is also a business and this was the right deal at the right time. It's now for City to build a new style of play with a faster and more attacking focused midfield. Barcelona have a gem. City now need our new axis point.

Harry: Rodri was already gone to anyone not living in delusion. We were always going to be without him this season. As for replacements, similarly to Bernardo Silva, there aren't any available. If you want a Rodri-type player then you need to develop them. For now, our midfield has to be Gonzalez and Anderson - it's a non-negotiable.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic has urged fans to give Enzo Maresca's side time after their 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield.

Kovacic told BBC Radio Manchester: "Yeah very disappointing - we want to win football matches, finals.

"It's tough. Arsenal are a team who when they score they are good and stay in the lead. Then they scored the second, which is sloppy from us - and then, of course, the game is over.

"Everybody is exhausted, drained from last season. Everyone needs to recover and be ready for this season. We have no time and there are no excuses - we have to be ready.

"It will be difficult [to get the title back from Arsenal] - they are a consistent side. They will be a tough opponent but we are there to challenge them.

"It has been different under Maresca and I think it will take time, which is normal for new things, but he has adapted really well and we have a good connection with him."

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Grealish made a somewhat unexpected return to the Manchester City team on Sunday - so what could his future hold?

Grealish has the chance of a fresh start under a new manager at City in Maresca.

The Italian did say after Sunday's game that Grealish will get games if he stays and impresses.

But it still feels more than likely he will end up leaving.

"Is Grealish going to be the player to change City and make a difference this season?" asked ex-Scotland winger Nevin on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I don't think many people think that's going to happen for Jack at Manchester City, but it's a chance to say to any suitors at all that he's available, he's fit and he does look good.

"He's done enough for me to think he'll do a job for somebody."

Grealish could yet return to Everton. The Toffees opted not to make the deal permanent for City's rumoured valuation of £50m this summer.

But with one year left on his supposed £300,000-a-week deal, and with Grealish likely to be a substitute at best, City are surely going to be open to lower or loan offers.

For now, he remains City's player, with just that lingering possibility he could still revive his career at the Etihad.

• Read more on Grealish

Image source, Getty Images

So, Manchester City are in advanced talks with Lille over a move for Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

City want to conclude the transfer this week after agreeing to sell Rodri to Barcelona.

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

Bouaddi impressed at this summer's World Cup - starting five of Morocco's six 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.

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

Is Bouaddi a suitable replacement for Rodri? Do you think his arrival would make Maresca's midfield stronger? And what do you think will happen in terms of Fernandez?

Get in touch with your views here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Ant: Why are the headlines about how poor City were? We played pretty football for two decades and won nothing. We were almost top scorers last season, with admittedly a lot of set-plays but also some good football. I urge you to watch the Jose Mourinho documentary and see the type of football that won them the league. The squad looks great, the fans are happy and expecting. Come on, you Reds!

Michael: Enjoyed it and thought it was a timely message of intent. Great start and some really good performances. Some need to up concentration, but overall a worthy win.

Gabriel: People wanted beautiful football - there it is. Odegaard looks like a shiny new signing and he absolutely dominated the game. Tzolis looks bright and Raya sharp as always. Let's win more trophies!

Carol: Well done, Arsenal - well deserved. The first piece of silverware, with others to follow this season, I'm sure. The journey of a legendary team starts here.

Man City fans

GC: Poor, poor, poor. Let's not kid ourselves, we started a strong XI. No passion, no courage, no idea. Why is Kovacic still here? How is Lewis still in the squad? Dias too! Doku and Semenyo ineffective. Donnarumma OMG! Looked very similar to a Pellegrini performance. Bleak outlook for the season.

Andy: We should be prepared to adjust to changes with the manager and team selection. Pep didn't win anything in his first season - we don't want any kneejerk reaction after just one result.

Barrie: City now look so ordinary with a poor squad overall. Rebuilding necessary fairly quickly, starting with replacement of the goalkeeper.

Ged: First, well done Arsenal. They played us off the park and there's no complaints. Secondly, it's only the first game, so on to the real stuff next week. Some City fans calling for Maresca's head - really?? Calm down. You can always spot the real fans from the glory hunters. Let's see how things are after 30 or so games.

Image source, Getty Images

Izzy Christiansen say it is important to not "be too emotional or rash" following Manchester City's defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield.

New City manager Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola over the summer, played down the importance of the result at full-time knowing that there is still work to be done ahead of the new Premier League season.

"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."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Manchester City are keen to sign Portugal winger Pedro Neto, 26, from Chelsea but face competition from Al-Hilal. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Elizabeth Conway
Spanish football reporter

Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Spain captain Rodri from Manchester City for about £65m

The 30-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, is set to sign a four-year deal with the Spanish champions.

Rodri leaves City having won 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League in 2022-23.

But who can replace him at City?

Talk of City signing 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi has been rumbling all summer, and the club have reportedly held talks with the Moroccan, who would cost an estimated £85m and is said to be keen on the move.

The teenager impressed at this summer's World Cup after a starring role in Lille's Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024 announced him on the big stage.

Man City's interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez has been no secret, despite not submitting a bid for the Argentine before the Blues' Friday deadline.

Man City boss Maresca is clearly a fan of Fernandez, having made him Chelsea captain when Reece James was injured, and he played the Argentine in 79 of his 92 games in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Another potential midfield signing is Bournemouth's Alex Scott.

Scott's energy and ball-carrying ability suit Maresca's preferred style of play - with a heavy emphasis on possession - while his passes into the box and ability to win duels make him an appealing option.

Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister also interests Maresca.

The Argentine is into the final two years of his contract at Anfield and has been a consistent presence in the Reds' midfield during his time there, though he struggled for form during a troublesome 2025-26 season

City fans, what is your reaction to the news of Rodri's exit? And what should City do next?

Let us know here