‘Pep is so cheeky!’, ‘Fair enough Josep’ – Man City fans react as Guardiola jokes Rodri not as good as him after win vs Crystal Palace

Pep Guardiola believes Rodrigo is one of the best holding midfielders he has ever worked with but joked that he doesn’t match up to his manager.

Rodri has played more minutes than any other player in the Manchester City squad this season and that showed no sign of changing after another barnstorming performance from him at Selhurst Park.

He drove his teammates on for the whole game as a late Erling Haaland penalty gave them a 1-0 win.

Guardiola played a similar role to Rodrigo in a glittering career that saw him lift six La Liga titles and one European Cup with Barcelona.

Guardiola joked that the Spaniard is not quite as good as he was in the position, before – more helpfully for journalists – finding something to say about his display. “What a game, what a game,” he said.

“What a holding midfielder, no words to describe him. With and without the ball, the presence, clever with the ball, now attacking, driving, going with the ball when the space was there. A fantastic game.”

“He’s one of the best, for sure. Not as good as his manager.”

These Guardiola’s comments on Rodri shared on Twitter gathered a number of replies from a wide range of Man City supporters.

@lawneche_fvrr: “Pep will always be PEP.”

@MCFCDubs: “Pep is so cheeky haha.”

@papomcfc: “Fair enough josep.”

@FVOpera: “He is no joking to be honest.”

@AMFC1978: “In fairness, he was an excellent CDM for Barca.”

@MaxwellMbae: “Very true. Rodri is clueless offensively…Just helps keep the team in shape. Nothing more.”