Rodri is a footballing encyclopaedia and, many would argue, the best defensive midfielder in the world.
There are few better when it comes to positional play, and he is one of the very best because of what he does himself and what he brings out in his team-mates.
Without the ball, both in the press and when dropping back, he gives that sense of security in front of the defence, especially in those moments when Barcelona lose the ball.
But he is also outstanding with the ball because he distributes it quickly and always chooses the right route. You can see all that in every Barcelona game.
His arrival has been described inside the club as one of the most significant developments of recent years on and off the pitch – playing in all but one match of Barcelona’s perfect start to the campaign.
For a squad that lost several senior voices in recent seasons, Rodri’s experience in high-pressure moments has added a stability that had been missing.
He has taken on an informal mentoring role with the club’s academy graduates, several of whom already regard him as a reference point.
He explains rather than simply demonstrates, an instinct that has surprised the coaching staff as much as his football has.
He does not wear the captain’s armband, and probably will not for some time, but inside the dressing room many already talk about him as a captain in everything but title.
Boss Hansi Flick made clear from day one that Barcelona had signed a type of midfielder they did not have, but also a reference point for a squad in the middle of rebuilding.
His partnership with Pedri has emerged as one of the more encouraging signs, as there were doubts about it.
The two combine naturally, managing tempo and sharing the responsibility for circulating the ball. Flick sees them capable of controlling matches through positioning, possession and reading of the game rather than athleticism.
Asked to compare Flick with Guardiola, Rodri was unambiguous: they are nothing alike.
He has spoken about arriving at Barcelona expecting rondos and possession drills, only to be met with days of gruelling physical work in the gym.
Guardiola trusted competition to build match sharpness. Flick has taken a different route with the players who arrived later in pre-season, working them hard from the outset.
And as you would expect from his CV and personality, Rodri has adapted to it rather than resisted it.
