Pep Guardiola key to Rodri move

Midfielder Rodri says the chance to work with manager Pep Guardiola was a key factor in his decision to leave Atletico Madrid for Manchester City.

City landed the Spain international in a club-record 70million euros [£63m] deal earlier this week and the 23-year-old is delighted with his move to Manchester. “I hope this year we get the same or more success as the last two years,” said Rodri.

“For me it’s a great opportunity. It’s a great team with great players in every area of the pitch. I think Pep is the greatest coach in the world and that’s what made me come. “It’s important for me. I want to learn and grow as a player.

I am very young and have a lot of things to do. With his coaching, I am going grow here.” City have signed Rodri as a long-term replacement for 34-year-old defensive midfielder Fernandinho, who struggled with injuries at times last season.

Rodri hopes to learn from the Brazilian, and revealed he is happy to be compared to Barcelona star Sergio Busquets.

He added: “I think he has been the greatest defensive midfielder in last ten years for me, for Barca and Spanish national team. “I saw him when he started when I was little and I am close to him [in style], but I also have other skills. I am also going to try to learn here from Fernandinho.”

Manchester City are 5.00 to win the Champions League next season and Atletico Madrid can be backed at 17.00.