{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Agbonlahor hits out at 'hypocrite' Rodri after big Man City development
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed it is “hypocritical” for Man City midfielder Rodri to demand FIFA and UEFA stop players leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted top foreign players have left their homelands for big money in the Premier League for years.
As quoted by the Manchester Evening News (8 September), Rodri called on FIFA and UEFA to control the “drain of talent” to Saudi Arabia.
He claimed players leaving for the Middle East is “totally understandable due to the amounts of money they offer”.
Man City lost star men Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte to Saudi Arabia in the summer transfer window.
The Saudi Pro League ramped up their recruitment in the off-season after bringing Cristiano Ronaldo to the country last year.
Get Exclusive transfers news at Football Insider's YouTube TV channel
Stars like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, Neymar and Gabri Veiga all joined top clubs in the emerging football nation.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Why should UEFA or FIFA get involved with players going to Saudi Arabia?
“Should they also get involved when players leave for the Premier League for the money?
“How many players have left Spain, for example, to come to England before they even turn professional?
“When I was in the youth sides, so many players came from abroad to play in this country.
“I feel that we’re hypocrites if we try and slam Saudi Arabia when the Premier League is the same.
“Players come here because the money is better than in France, Italy, Germany or Spain.
“Saudi Arabia are doing the same to England now, and it’s being seen as a problem. It’s up to the player.
“If the player’s character at 19 wants to go, then it’s his choice.
“I don’t know how anyone can stop it. It doesn’t make any sense.”
In other news, major Man City update as midfielder deal could be done soon.