WHAT HAPPENED?
Real Madrid are planning to revitalise their midfield with the addition of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, according to a report from Spanish outlet AS.
The reigning Champions League and LaLiga winners haven't hit the ground running following the retirement of Toni Kroos and believe that Rodri's addition could elevate the team to another level.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Real Madrid haven't had the best of starts to the ongoing campaign, losing 4-0 to Barcelona at home last weekend, while also falling to a shock 1-0 defeat at Lille in the Champions League.
With Kroos gone, much was expected from Los Blancos' midfield that consists of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurelien Tchouameni. However, they have failed to stamp their authority on games as a collective unit.
Rodri, who was crowned as the 2024 Ballon D'Or winner in Paris earlier this week, could solve a lot of problems. At 28, he is arguably the best player in the world in his position.
His performances for Man City have seen them dominate England in recent seasons, while Spain ended their 12-year wait for a major international trophy with Rodri at the heart of the midfield at Euro 2024.
City have been keen to tie him down long term, but Rodri is supposedly in no rush to ink a renewal due to the ongoing uncertainty over potential consequences of FFP infringements, with City facing 115 charges.
DID YOU KNOW?
Rodri was born in Villanueva de la Canada, a municipality located around 40 kilometres away from the Santiago Bernabeu. Before joining the Cityzens, he played for Real Madrid's cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid.
WHAT NEXT FOR RODRI AND REAL MADRID?
Real Madrid will be keen to bounce back from the Clasico drubbing when they visit Mestalla this week to take on 20th-placed Valencia in LaLiga.
Rodri, meanwhile, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Man City's Premier League encounter against Arsenal back in September. He has been ruled out for the season and will have to support his team-mates from the sidelines.
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