Manchester City has secured a central midfielder at last, but fans expecting him to step into Rodri’s shoes might be let down. However, Nico González remains an exciting addition to the squad.
Manchester City has finally secured a central midfielder, with Nico González arriving from Porto in a deal reportedly worth £50 million.
However, considering City’s struggles from autumn into winter, it may be a slight source of frustration for fans that it took this long to bring in reinforcements for a position that has been lacking ever since Rodri’s season-ending injury against Arsenal in September. City’s midfield barely seemed any more solid than it did in Sunday’s reverse fixture at the Emirates, where Arsenal triumphed 5-1 – City’s heaviest Premier League away defeat since January 2017.
This season, City has conceded 4 or more goals in four matches, the most in a single campaign under Pep Guardiola. Clearly, their defense has been vulnerable without Rodri.
Replacing Rodri was always going to be a tall order. The January transfer window is challenging enough, as top teams are reluctant to lose key players mid-season.
On top of that, Rodri is one of the world’s best players. If you take the 2024 Ballon d’Or votes into account, he is arguably the best player on the planet.
So, with the signing of González, how close are City to filling the gap left by Rodri?
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Nico González: A Talented Midfielder, But Not a Rodri Replacement
There’s no question about his technical ability, having risen through the ranks at Guardiola’s former club, Barcelona. During the 2021-22 season, he made 27 La Liga appearances (12 starts) and seven in Europe (four starts) under club legend Xavi, who handed him his senior debut by subbing him in for none other than Sergio Busquets. However, that substitution did little to quell the internal buzz at Barcelona, with many expecting González to eventually fill Busquets’ shoes.
The 23-year-old’s development makes him a promising prospect for a career under Guardiola at City. It’s no surprise that he is composed on the ball and adept at moving it forward, having completed an impressive 88.6% of his passes throughout his senior career across all competitions.
After spending another year at Barcelona, González was loaned to Valencia for the 2022-23 season before joining Porto permanently in 2023. His time in Portugal has been marked by mixed performances, and though Porto secured the Portuguese Cup, they finished a disappointing third in the league that year. This season has been even more challenging, with Porto once again sitting third and trailing Sporting CP by eight points, barely managing to make it out of the Europa League group stages. They now face Roma in a two-legged play-off to advance to the knockout rounds.
Despite Porto’s struggles, González has been a standout performer. One key moment that highlighted his value came when Porto needed a 1-0 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv to secure their spot in the Europa League play-offs. González, as he has often done, made a trademark run into the box, heading in a João Mário cross to seal the victory.
While this run and finish were crucial for Porto, it also emphasizes why City fans should temper their expectations regarding González as a direct replacement for Rodri.
While Rodri does offer some goal threat – as demonstrated by his Champions League-winning goal in the 2023 final – it typically comes from long-range efforts rather than making runs behind the opposition’s defense. Rodri is more of a tempo-controlling regista, much like Busquets, rather than the type of midfielder González is. The new City signing is a box-to-box player, capable of making late runs into the opponent’s area from deep.
That said, González is still an effective ball-winner. Physically, he resembles both Busquets and Rodri, and he’s not afraid to engage in 50-50 challenges. This season in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, he ranks seventh for fouls committed (36), while leading Porto in possession regains (73), tackles (34), and aerial duels contested (68).
However, he doesn’t quite fit the mold of a Busquets or Rodri.
González is A Dynamic Midfielder with Impressive Ball-Carrying and Goal-Threat
González is particularly notable for his ball-carrying ability, regularly driving through midfield with the ball at his feet. Progressive carries – those moving at least five meters toward the opposition’s goal – are usually dominated by defenders and wide players who have more room to exploit, with González ranking 31st for such carries with 110 in total.
However, when limiting the distance to a maximum of 10 meters, González jumps to third place, with 73 such carries. He excels at finding gaps, bursting through them, and then laying off a pass to a teammate. He tends to make smart decisions after carrying the ball for a few meters, opting for simple passes rather than overcomplicating things. This season, he ranks fourth among non-defenders in the Portuguese top flight for carries followed by a pass, with 185.
He often continues his run forward, adding another attacking presence in the penalty area, and he’s a legitimate threat there. Despite playing in central and sometimes defensive midfield for a struggling Porto team, González has netted five non-penalty goals – with only eight players in the entire Portuguese league scoring more. His all-action style and dynamic contributions make him a factor at both ends of the pitch.
What Manchester City haven’t secured is a direct replacement for Rodri, but that was never really the goal. With half the season having passed without their midfield anchor, City has already weathered a significant portion of the time he will miss. The focus for the remainder of the season should now be to find a collective solution, and González can play a key role in that.
To begin with, he will bring much-needed defensive solidity and grit to central midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic. In the recent match against Arsenal, the attack-oriented midfield trio of Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, and Omar Marmoush was simply inadequate for the task.
Looking beyond this season, González could pair with Rodri in a physically imposing midfield duo, providing a solid foundation for City’s attacking players to thrive. His technical and physical attributes make him well-suited to help elevate the team.
This January, City has made significant moves, spending an estimated £180 million – just £10 million less than the total spending of the other 19 Premier League teams combined. According to Transfermarkt, their January expenditure is the second-highest in history for a single club during the winter window, signaling their intent to rebuild following this season’s form.
With the addition of González, City now has a ball-winning midfielder to strengthen their ranks. Better late than never, right?
Read More: Top 10 Transfers of the Winter Transfer Window
FAQs
Who is Nicolás González and what position does he play?
Nicolás González is a 23-year-old Spanish midfielder who recently joined Manchester City from Porto. Known for his ball-carrying ability, he excels in box-to-box play and can make late runs into the opposition’s area.
Is González a replacement for Rodri at Manchester City?
No, González is not a direct replacement for Rodri. While he brings defensive solidity and ball-winning skills, City will likely rely on a collective solution for midfield during Rodri’s absence.
How has González performed at Porto?
González has been a standout performer for Porto, scoring five non-penalty goals and ranking high in key defensive metrics like tackles, possession regains, and aerial duels, despite Porto’s struggles this season.
What does González bring to Manchester City?
González offers technical ability, defensive awareness, and dynamism. He will add more bite to City’s midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic and can complement Rodri in the future.
How much did Manchester City spend in the January transfer window?
Manchester City spent around £180 million in January, making it the second-highest January transfer spend by a single club, as they focus on rebuilding the squad for future success.
