Rio Ferdinand names Man City star as the ‘most important player in the Premier League’ following their 3-1 victory against FC Copenhagen… claiming he is the ‘conductor’ within Pep Guardiola’s side

Rio Ferdinand had labelled one Man City star as ‘the most important player in the Premier League’ following his excellent performance during City’s 3-1 victory against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night. 

City produced a controlled and professional display to brush past the Danish side and give themselves a 2-0 cushion for the return leg of their Champions League tie on March 6. 

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring after ten minutes with a precise strike across the face of the goal, before Magnus Mattsson pulled one back for the home side. Bernardo Silva restored the lead for City before half-time with Phil Foden wrapping up the win in injury time to silence the racous home crowd.

City have now claimed their 11th consecutive victory across all competitions and show no signs of slowing down as they sit two points behind Liverpool in the Premier League standings. 

Yet, Ferdinand highlighted one player for his brilliant performance during the match, and throughout the last few seasons, lumping praise on Rodri as the league’s most pivotal player.

‘I just think there’s complete control in their team,’ he told TNT Sports after the game. 

‘There’s expeience there’s control and they know they’ve got players who can end the game when need be. Even when they were pegged back to 1-1 the atmosphere lifted off the roof immediately but that didn’t have any impact on the pitch. 

‘Rodri I have to say, I have to single out we all marvel over stats these days and we talk about players like Foden and De Bruyne. 

‘But the rhythm of this game is control and that drives through one person and that is Rodri, he is phenomenal and he is the conductor within this team.’

He added: ‘It’s actually over a year since they’ve lost when he’s played in the team. That’s how important he is. I think he’s possibly the most important player for any team in the Premier League.’

Rodri has remarkably not seen his side loose when he’s been included in the team sheet since February 5, 2023. 

The defensive midfielder has also found the back of the net six times in 30 appearances across all competitions. 

He is crucial for City at both ends of the pitch, utilising his excellent knowledge of the game to fill holes in defence while also scoring important goals at the other end of the field, with his winning strike in last year’s Champions League final being a testament to that. 

Joleon Lescott, speaking to TNT Sports added: ‘His importance when they’re out of possession, his ability to read the play nullify attacks especially when they’re high up the field. 

‘He wins the ball back and forces play to be so precise so high up the pitch and like Rio says he’s so important to the team.’