Last season, Rodri was so important that he played almost every game for Manchester City and scored their biggest goal of the season when it looked like the Champions League final might be following a familiar pattern.
Kalvin Phillips - through injury and form - couldn't offer enough of a challenge to Rodri, and Pep Guardiola eventually had to train his full-backs and centre-backs to offer support in defensive midfield instead.
With Ilkay Gundogan leaving, it makes sense for City to seek another stable midfielder, and Mateo Kovacic has had a medical as he nears a transfer from Chelsea for £25m. There is also interest in Declan Rice - although talk of an imminent bid from the Etihad may be premature.
