Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown has revealed he is worried about summer signing Rodri at Manchester City, following the 2-0 defeat to Wolves.
Pep Guardiola's side fell eight points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race after the surprising defeat at the Etihad Stadium and have now lost twice in the league this season - already hitting half of their tally of defeats last year.
That has left City with plenty of ground to make up in the coming months and while City can find encouragement from overcoming a similar deficit last season, when the Reds led at Christmas, concern for the title defence is rising.
Now, former Arsenal defender Keown has highlighted the improvements that Rodri must make in the City midfield to protect a frail defence.
"I’m a bit worried about Rodri. It happened far too easily where the full-backs push high up the pitch and it’s really important that he blocks that pass," he told Match of the Day 2.
"Strangely, City looked really uncertain in possession, they are usually very crisp with their passing. You wondered how many times they were going to get away with it. They didn’t adjust, they kept doing it.
"Rodri, I don’t know what position he was taking up. He’s the night watchman, he found himself in no man’s land - you’ve either got to press the ball or sit in front of the defence because they need protection. It’s not Laporte anymore, it’s not Kompany, and they are in trouble.
"It was a matter of time for me until Wolves scored. Nicolas Otamendi dived in and Adama Traore finally came good."
