Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand (Picture: YouTube) Rio Ferdinand says Manchester City would have pipped Arsenal to the Premier League title last season had Rodri been available for the entire campaign. Arsenal clinched their first Premier League title since 2004 back in May, finishing seven points clear of Man City in Pep Guardiola’s last season at the club. Ballon d’Or winner Rodri missed 17 Premier League games last term due to injury issues and Ferdinand believes his availability would have changed the course of the title race. Rodri now looks set to end his long and successful spell at the Etihad Stadium, with Barcelona closing in on a stunning deal for the World Cup winner. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Ferdinand says Rodri’s imminent departure will present ‘huge challenges’ to a Manchester City team already having to cope with the exit of legendary manager Guardiola. Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea boss, has been given the possibly tricky task of replacing Guardiola, who won six Premier League titles, the Champions League and eight domestic cups at Man City. Speaking on his podcast, Manchester United legend Ferdinand said: ‘Can we just talk about Manchester City please? Man City legend Rodri is set to join Barcelona (Picture: Getty) ‘Not only have they lost Pep Guardiola, it now looks like they’re losing Rodri. That’s two of the most important people at the football club in the last seven or eight years. ‘So after a big change in manager they’re losing the biggest, most important player in their team. ‘If Rodri started and played every game last season and didn’t have that injury, Man City win the Premier League. No disrespect to Arsenal but if Rodri played ten more games, Man City would have won the league. Arsenal pipped Man City to the Premier League title (Picture: Getty) ‘That’s no coincidence. This guy went into the Spain team and was their most important player, wins the best player of the tournament and helps them win the World Cup. He’s won the Ballon d’Or too, he’s won everything. ‘If Barcelona get him they are a certified problem this year because Rodri is the most important footballer for any team on the planet right now and has been for the last few years. He’s a top player and a top pro. ‘I think Man City have a huge challenge this year in competing in the way they have in the last eight or nine years. Former Man City boss Pep Guardiola (Picture: Getty) ‘They’ve lost two huge components of the football club, not only on the pitch but off it as well. They were both huge contributors so let’s watch this space.’ Arsenal hero Anders Limpar has also suggested Manchester City could be set for a difficult season if they sell influential midfielder Rodri. ‘If Manchester City sell Rodri they are shooting themselves in the foot because he cannot be replaced,’ Limpar told SveaCasino. ‘We said the same about David Silva but they did replace him and brought in a couple of good players, like Bernardo Silva, but it’s even harder to replace Rodri now. ‘He’s a Ballon d’Or winner because of how good he is in his role. Who are you going to replace him with? ‘City have to be very, very careful here or they can become a mediocre team that struggles to finish sixth or seventh even with Erling Haaland because Rodri is the machine. He’s the engine in that midfield. ‘It would be the best signing of the summer for Arsenal if Rodri goes to Barcelona or Real Madrid.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
