“Rodri Isn’t Even the Best at Man City!” – Paul Scholes Stuns Fans by Claiming This Midfield Maestro Deserves More Praise Than the Ballon d’Or Contender
Manchester City have been truly blessed in recent years with a conveyor belt of world-class midfield talent lighting up the Etihad Stadium. From the unstoppable surges of Yaya Touré through the heart of midfield, to the graceful artistry of David Silva weaving magic in tight spaces, and the dazzling technical brilliance of Bernardo Silva—City’s engine room has consistently set the standard in English football.
Naturally, as fans reminisce about these legends, they’re also eager to see who will be the next great midfielder to carry the torch. As the club looks ahead to the future, it’s clear that the Premier League champions are preparing for another marquee addition in the center of the park.
City have reportedly set their sights on Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, one of Europe’s most exciting young playmakers. The German international has taken the Bundesliga by storm with his creativity, vision, and maturity beyond his years, making him a perfect fit for Pep Guardiola’s intricate system. Wirtz would not only add depth and competition to the midfield but could also help City evolve as some of their core players enter the twilight of their careers.
Meanwhile, there’s positive news regarding Rodri, the club’s defensive midfield anchor. After suffering a serious injury that sidelined him for a large portion of the current campaign, the Spanish international—recently crowned a Euro 2024 winner and a strong contender for the 2024 Ballon d’Or—is expected to return ahead of the 2025/26 season. His comeback will provide a massive boost for City, who struggled at times to maintain control without his presence in midfield.
However, despite Rodri’s dominance over recent seasons, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has made a surprising claim—suggesting that City already have a player in their ranks who is even better. Speaking on The Overlap, Scholes named Kevin De Bruyne as the best midfielder in the world right now.
De Bruyne, now 33, has had a mixed campaign plagued by injuries and inconsistent form. Still, when fit and firing, he remains a generational talent. In City’s recent clash against Crystal Palace, the Belgian maestro delivered a commanding performance that earned praise from all quarters, including Alan Shearer, who commended De Bruyne’s ability to completely dictate the tempo and carve open defenses with ease.
Scholes doubled down on his opinion by also naming Zinedine Zidane as the greatest midfielder of all time, but in the current era, he believes De Bruyne sits above all others. For City fans, it’s a reassuring vote of confidence in a player who, despite his age and injury setbacks, continues to prove why he’s one of the most complete midfielders of his generation.
That said, supporters are aware that De Bruyne has not consistently hit his peak this season—and with players like Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala, and even Wirtz himself rising quickly, the debate remains wide open.
Interestingly, Scholes’ verdicts didn’t stop at midfielders. When asked to name the best striker in the world, he controversially passed over Erling Haaland—choosing Kylian Mbappé instead. While Mbappé is undeniably a global superstar, Scholes’ omission of Haaland raised eyebrows, especially given the Norwegian’s phenomenal numbers since arriving in Manchester.
Haaland has been a goal-scoring machine since his arrival in the summer of 2023, racking up a staggering 120 goals and 20 assists in just 138 appearances for the club. Even this season, though affected by injury, Haaland’s threat in front of goal hasn’t diminished. Once he returns to full fitness, the 24-year-old will be determined to silence his critics and remind the world exactly why he was once regarded as the most lethal striker on the planet.
While City’s current campaign hasn’t quite lived up to the high standards of previous seasons, with key players either injured, ageing, or out of form, the squad remains stacked with talent. With Rodri nearing a return, De Bruyne showing flashes of brilliance, and potential new arrivals like Wirtz on the radar, there’s every reason to believe City can come back stronger next season.
And if Erling Haaland returns with a point to prove? Don’t be surprised if he makes Scholes—and every other doubter—eat their words.
