Manchester City is currently lining up the Xabi Alonso-esque midfielder’s moves as Rodri’s successor, and Pep Guardiola is personally enthusiastic.
Guardiola has identified a Rodri alternative
Rodri missed most of the 2024-25 season due to an ACL injury, but Paul Shoals recently named him the second-best midfielder in the world, despite not yet fully reaching his previous level.
Shoals said (56:30): “He’s not doing well this season, but he got that horrible injury. He was by far the best midfielder of the year, so he controlled everything.
It is still unclear whether the Spaniard will be able to return to his best, but considering he turned 29 in June, he certainly has plenty of time.
However, according to a sports boom report, Guardiola is currently personally identifying Bayern Munich midfielder Alexander Pavlovich as Rodri’s long-term successor.
Citi has the financial strength to direct Bavaria to the negotiation table, and given that the midfielder is only 21 years old, it has been reported that even a “huge” transfer fee could be a “smart investment.”
At this point, Rodri continues to be a key player for Guardiola, but the manager plans his future amid interest from Real Madrid, returning to the summer, and Pavlovic’s ability to own the ball could make him an ideal option.
Pavlovich is beginning to prove himself in Bayern Munich
The Germans have been featured relatively sporadically for Bayern in the previous two campaigns, but this season he was a major part of Vincent Company’s plan, featuring in all four Bundesliga games and scoring in a 5-0 victory over Hamburg.
But, like Rodri, goalscoring is not the starlet’s main strength. Scout Jace Krigg previously described Alonso and Michael Carrick as “a similar” and “deep orchestrators.”
The Bayern Maestro’s £30k-a-week possession abilities means he’s a similar type of player to Rodri, averaging 96.85 passes per 96.85 passes over the past year, also making it the 98th percentile of pass completion rates compared to other midfielders.
Pavlovic could be the perfect long-term alternative to Rodri, but Spanish International should remain at the top level for years after overcoming an ACL injury.
