NICO'S JUST A MINI ME

Gonzalez won't let Pep make a Rod for his back

- JEREMY CROSS

NICO GONZALEZ insists he doesn't want to be compared to Manchester City legend Rodri.

Gonzalez joined City from Porto last month in a £49.7m deal and has been charged with plugging the sizeable hole left by Rodri's absence.

The Ballon d'Or winner has missed most of the season following knee surgery, and his absence has coincided with City's astonishing capitulation under Pep Guardiola.

Most players would welcome being mentioned in the same breath as someone as good as Rodri (inset).

But despite Guardiola calling Gonzalez his 'mini-Rodri, the Spaniard wants to form his own identity at the Etihad.