Published: 02:00, 19 October 2025 | Updated: 02:00, 19 October 2025

Fresh from barking instructions as an auxiliary coach during anxious final moments down at Brentford, Rodri was back in the Manchester City dressing room as part of the extended backroom staff on Saturday.

He'd been hopping about in the technical area at the Gtech, even after tweaking a hamstring an hour before, in scenes to underline the midfielder's leadership within this group. 

A fortnight later, in the City tunnel – sporting a smart denim jacket, it must be said – Rodri was getting around team-mates as they went in goalless against Everton.

Pep Guardiola gently interrupted and began delivering detailed instructions to Phil Foden and Nico O'Reilly. 

Even though Iliman Ndiaye threatened to make this all about him, regularly taking several defenders for walks, dazzling in front of the ineligible Jack Grealish – sat in the posh bit with Puma executives – City had clearly earmarked the Senegalese's side to exploit.

Ndiaye didn't offer Jake O'Brien a major amount of protection and Guardiola wanted the two academy graduates to take advantage....