Rodri: It is great for Manchester City to have this kind of player

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Manchester City midfielder Rodri is open and ready to playing alongside Kalvin Phillips in midfield.

Phillips joined Manchester City this summer from Leeds United following the departure of Fernandinho.

“It was a great chance for the club to sign that kind of player,” Rodri said of his new midfield partner.

“Of course, Fernandinho was one of the best but now he has gone and Kalvin is in. We are both pretty young and I think we can play together or alone. It’s good for the team to have competition and he has qualities that can improve the team.

“Ask the coach [about the formation]. Sometimes with ‘Dinho last season I played a lot of games with him, many parts of the game you need that consistency. Sometimes you are winning and have to be a bit more solid defensively.

“I remember last year, the game against Atletico, ‘Dinho came in, we played together and he saved us. I think there will be chances for us to play together. I think he can play a little forward also and it’s a good point – to have players who can play in different positions.”