Danny Murphy Hails Manchester City’s Rodri as the Premier League’s Midfield Standard, Says He’s “Levels Ahead” of Rice, Caicedo, and Gravenberch

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has joined the ongoing debate over who deserves the title of the Premier League’s best midfielder — and his verdict is clear: Manchester City’s Rodri stands above the rest.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Murphy compared Rodri with other top midfielders like Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, and Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, ultimately describing the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner as “magnificent” and “levels ahead” of his rivals.

“Caicedo has been outstanding,” Murphy said. “For me, Gravenberch, Rice and Caicedo – those three come to mind straight away. They all have different attributes.

“A lot of people say Caicedo doesn’t create much, and he’s not a creative passer — he’s not going to get it out of his feet and split open a defence. Gravenberch can do that a bit more; Declan can do that a bit.

“Although Caicedo is playing best at the moment, as a holding midfielder, I would still have Gravenberch ahead of him.

Rodri is better than all of them. Levels ahead. For two or three seasons, Rodri’s level was nothing short of magnificent, absolutely magnificent.”

Murphy’s comments come at a time when debates about midfield dominance in the Premier League are heating up, especially with new stars rising and traditional powerhouses redefining their styles.

⚽ Opinion: Rodri — The Gold Standard Every Midfielder Is Measured Against

Danny Murphy’s take isn’t just praise — it’s recognition of Rodri’s quiet brilliance. In an era obsessed with flashy assists and goals, Rodri represents something rarer: control, intelligence, and calm dominance.

The Spaniard is the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City — the metronome that dictates tempo, breaks play, and starts attacks with surgical precision. It’s no wonder he’s been described as City’s “invisible captain,” even when De Bruyne or Dias wear the armband.

When you watch Rodri, you see a player who understands the rhythm of the game better than anyone else on the pitch. He doesn’t just play football — he conducts it.

That’s not to discredit Rice, Caicedo, or Gravenberch — all three are world-class in their own right. Rice is a warrior-leader, Caicedo a defensive wall, and Gravenberch an emerging creative engine. But what sets Rodri apart is his consistency at the top level. He doesn’t just shine in big games — he defines them.

If Manchester City are the machine, Rodri is the engine. And right now, it’s hard to argue with Murphy — no one in England’s midfield ranks runs smoother or smarter than Rodri.