By Gabriel Agbonlahor

2nd Sep, 2023 | 12:42pm

Agbonlahor tips Rodri to 'fight' Erling Haaland in 'amazing' Man City verdict

Gabby Agbonlahor has backed Rodri to fight Man City teammate Erling Haaland for the upcoming Ballon d’Or award after his “amazing” form in the last year.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 27-year-old is the only defensive midfielder in world football who can “do everything”.

Rodri scored the winner against Sheffield United last week (27 August) to continue a strong start to the season.

The Spain international, who also scored the winner in last season’s Champions League final, already has two goals and two assists this term.

Haaland, who has already won UEFA’s individual award for the 2022-23 campaign, is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or when it is awarded on 30 October.

Both players lifted a historic treble last term when City won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League under Pep Guardiola’s stewardship.

Rodri joined the club in 2019 and is under contract until June 2027.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I had an argument on Twitter about Rodri being better than Casemiro a year ago.

“He does everything. That’s what no other DM in the world does. He’s got legs, he gets the ball back, he plays the top passes, he can score screamers, he’s big from set pieces.

“He does everything.

“If he keeps this amazing form up, there’s no reason at all why he can’t fight for the Ballon d’Or with Haaland or whoever.”

In other news, Kieran Maguire verdict on Man City being slapped with new charges amid Abu Dhabi accusation.