Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez has stated that he does not view himself as a direct replacement for Rodri. The 23-year-old Spaniard is currently filling in for Rodri, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, for the Champions League match against Villarreal.

Gonzalez joined Manchester City in January on a four-and-a-half-year deal. While some initially viewed the £50 million move as City finally securing a backup for Rodri, Gonzalez sees his role differently. He emphasizes that he is not trying to be a carbon copy of his fellow Spaniard.

"I don't see any comparison or pay much attention to those things," Gonzalez stated at a press conference. Instead, he focuses on learning from Rodri, who he recognizes as an important teammate and one of the team's captains. Gonzalez mentioned that Rodri offered him advice during halftime of a recent game, which he found valuable.

Gonzalez has stated that he models his game more after Sergio Busquets, his former teammate at Barcelona. He played with Busquets in Barcelona's first team and "learned a lot from him".

City manager Pep Guardiola believes that Rodri's influence will benefit Gonzalez. He expressed hope that Rodri would train with Gonzalez more often, emphasizing the value of learning from a player of Rodri's caliber.

Since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, Gonzalez has made 18 appearances and scored one Premier League goal in a 3-1 victory against Bournemouth. Before joining City, Gonzalez played for Porto, where he was named Primeira Liga Midfielder of the Month in December 2024. He has also represented Spain at the youth international level.

While Gonzalez may not be a direct replacement for Rodri, he offers a different skillset and adds depth to City's midfield. His versatility allows him to contribute both defensively and in driving the team forward.