A big step up from the Croatian.
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00:00So, Michael, looking at Manchester City, and obviously, Rodri's injury was a huge blow
00:06for them at the time, and we have neutrals obviously saying it was massive for the title
00:10race as well, depending on how early in the season it was. How impressed have you been
00:16with Kovacic? He's come in and he's really grabbed that role by the scruff of the neck.
00:21He's been fantastic for Guardiola's side in replacement of Rodri.
00:26Yeah, it's interesting. I mean, obviously, we're talking about the Rodri injury since
00:30Arsenal, but of course, Rodri was injured at the start of the season as well, and didn't
00:34play in the first four Premier League games, and Kovacic actually came in and played defensively
00:39in those matches, and was really good. He's certainly a very different type of player
00:43to Rodri. There is no player, I don't think, who's any replacement for Rodri in world football,
00:48let alone at Man City. I think Kovacic is a bit more dynamic, he's a bit quicker on
00:52the ball, but maybe lacks the passing range and probably the physicality of Rodri. I think
01:00that defensive midfielder can be left exposed a little bit, and I think Rodri's much more
01:04suited to that. I don't think Kovacic is quite suited to that, but he's done really well.
01:09He obviously scored his two goals at the weekend, and Guardiola touched on the fact that actually
01:13he realised that the most defensive midfielder wasn't being pressed and had a bit more time
01:18in the ball, so he could have a few shots. He tends to find a solution, Guardiola, doesn't
01:22he? It obviously worked out really well, he scored two goals. It's actually the first
01:26time in his career he's ever scored two goals in a game. He's done really well this season,
01:30and I think he is a good replacement to come in for Rodri, albeit we're talking about replacing
01:37one of the best players in the world, so he's maybe not quite at the same levels. I think
01:41that the Rodri story and what the solution is, is going to dominate. Certainly I think
01:49when we come back after the international break, and even pushing into December, January
01:53months, I think it will take a long time for Guardiola to stumble upon that perfect solution.
01:59I don't think there's going to be one that this is the solution. I think it is going
02:02to be dependent for different games. He set up differently, for instance, against Newcastle,
02:06which I think he saw as a bit more of a physical side. I think he wanted City to retain possession
02:10a little bit more. I think he wasn't quite as worried about that for Fulham, so he's
02:14happy with Kovacic in the holding role of Lewis moving up, but against Newcastle he
02:19went for a double pivot at the base of midfield. It's one that's going to play out over the
02:25coming months, but it's a really interesting story. I don't think it's any exaggeration
02:31to say Guardiola finding the solution without Rodri could be ultimately what decides whether
02:36the City win the title or not. It's a huge story. It feels like I'm all I'm writing about
02:39Kovacic is doing well, but whether he is the long-term solution, I'm still not 100% sure.