I can be a leader for City, says £63m Rodri JACK GAUGHAN

MANCHESTER CITY’S record signing Rodri insisted yesterday he is ready to become a leader for Pep Guardiola’s champions — at the tender age of 23. City paid Atletico Madrid £62.8million for Rodri last month and the Spain midfielder is determined to justify that massive price tag. ‘When you play in my position, it doesn’t matter how old you are or how good you are — you have to lead the team because you are in the middle,’ he said. ‘I’m young but I think I can have this role in the team. I know they have great players like David Silva, but in my role I have to lead in these situations.’ The super-confident Rodri (right) even had a cheeky dig into Guardiola’s ribs. ‘I want to get the feeling of the city,’ he said. ‘I’ve come to Manchester alone — not with family — so I will like being with people. I’ve been to Pep’s restaurant, Tast. It’s good… but you have to take a big wallet!’ The City dressing room is not one for shrinking violets but arrogance doesn’t go down well, either. A fine line to tread. The new boy certainly has charisma and his story is a little different. The Spaniard speaks almost flawless English after travelling to three consecutive summer camps in America as a teenager. In Spain, he is seen as the heir to Sergio Busquets. He suffered the heartbreak of leaving Atletico’s academy before a growth spurt at Villarreal saw him complete a dream switch back home last summer. While studying for a business degree at university in Castellon, Rodri lived in the halls of residence despite turning out in La Liga at the weekends — to the astonishment of his peers. As well as Guardiola, Rodri is a huge admirer of Atletico coach Diego Simeone. ‘This last year has been amazing for me. Atletico is wonderful, it was a dream for me to go back to my home. Simeone taught me a lot of things,’ he said. ‘Imagine me as a 23-year-old, I now spend two of my first seasons with two of the greatest coaches of the last 20 or 30 years! They were both midfielders like me, the No 4 in Spanish football.’ Taking facets from both can only make Rodri more complete. His style is more Guardiola — a pincher of possession, an interception king — than the bulldogging, old-fashioned British way that Simeone possessed. ‘I’m not used to tackles,’ he added. ‘I have another way to steal the ball. I see other players always go down and tackle, but I’m very big. If I go to ground I waste a lot of time before I can go again!’ He knows that things will alter for him at City, where he will be deployed in a slightly different role. He is used to having another midfielder next to him. but that comfort blanket will not be available. This transition may take some adjustment. He may even act as a makeshift third central defender. ‘It’s not my position, but if the coach needs me to play there it will be fine. I need to adapt to all the situations, so I have to be ready for it.’