Report: Rodri, the signing that FC Barcelona discovered they needed

Rodri has quickly proven his worth with FC Barcelona after starting against Valencia at the Mestalla, delivering a performance that confirmed he possesses the qualities the team needs, particularly in controlling the tempo of the game and providing his teammates with more freedom in the attacking line.

FC Barcelona were chasing a deal for Julián Álvarez, while Deco took advantage of the uncertainty surrounding Real Madrid to complete the signing of Rodri, who is 30 years old. As the cost of the deal rose, the chances of signing a top-class striker diminished, leading the club to conclude the transfer market with the acquisition of Gabriel Jesus.

Rodri quickly began to justify the bet placed on him. He showed impressive synergy with Pedri against Valencia, as the two players were the most sought after by each other during the match, with Pedri passing to Rodri 19 times, compared to 16 passes from Rodri to his teammate.

The duo took turns in their roles in midfield, with Rodri usually positioned close to the areas for the first build-up, while Pedri moved forward. Rodri also maintained constant communication with the defenders to adjust the distances between the lines during pressing.

Rodri is a key element in Hans Flick's quest to make Barcelona more mature, after the team has been characterized by its attacking ferocity in previous seasons. The Spanish player provides the team with the ability to calm the game and retain possession when needed, allowing the forwards to break free at the right moment.

This was evident in one of the first-half attacks against Valencia, when Rodri received the ball near his team's area and managed to relieve the pressure with a long pass. He also initiated Raphinha's goal after winning the ball and passing it into space.

Flick praised his player, stating: "Everything he does makes sense," adding: "Rodri is amazing. Not just on the pitch, but also in the dressing room. He is a true leader." The coach also believes that his presence is good for the development of Marc Bernal.

Pedri confirmed his comfort playing alongside Rodri, stating: "Playing with Rodri is very comfortable, and we will understand each other very well."

Although Rodri needs several weeks to reach his best rhythm at the start of the season, his appearance at Mestalla provided a clear indication of the role he can play with Barcelona, as a player who brings calm and control to the team without sacrificing their attacking ability.