Manchester City sent five centre-backs to the World Cup, and could get six returning to the Etihad.
That is not because Pep Guardiola is planning a surprise defensive signing - any incomings in January have already been ruled out - but because holding midfielder Rodri has been converted to a centre-back for Spain in their bid for glory in Qatar.
Starting alongside City teammate Aymeric Laporte, Rodri has looked calm at the back for his country, as Sergio Busquets has been first-choice at the base of Luis Enrique's midfield. Rodri has deputised at centre-back for City before, but only when there were no other options available, while for Spain he's keeping the likes of Eric Garcia and Pau Torres on the bench.
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Reflecting on their unlikely partnership, Laporte says Rodri's footballing intelligence makes the positional switch for a World Cup far more straightforward than it could have been.
“Rodri’s intelligent, he knows how to adapt,” Laporte told the Guardian.
“It’s different for him. He seeks advice, asks a lot of questions; it’s all very natural. We’ve only let in one and we hope there aren’t any more. Basically, I answer the questions he asks. Do I step out? When do we drop? Do I have to go with the striker when he runs into the space?
"Do I hold? Do I follow? Do I step out with the ball? He asks lots of questions: being firm, decision-making, with the ball, without it. And I try to help as best I can.”
Laporte was also asked to compare playing under Pep Guardiola for City and Enrique for Spain - as most players who have worked with both are prompted to discuss.
“They are very different, despite having the same idea of keeping the ball,” Laporte explained.
“Both want the ball to manage the game but it’s true that with Guardiola you try to unbalance your opponents a bit more, taking even more risks than here. Here maybe they are risks that are more necessary. With Spain, it’s exactly the same ambition, same principles, same idea now as we’ve followed from the first moment I joined.”
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