LONDON – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised Ivan Toney, calling the 27-year-old striker dangerous and a master of manoeuvring his body.

He made the comments on Feb 19, a day before his third-placed side’s English Premier League match against Brentford, who sit in 14th spot.

The champions, who are on 53 points, are hoping to win this game in hand to overtake Arsenal (55) and stay in touch with leaders Liverpool (57).

Toney has missed most of the season owing to an eight-month ban for betting offences but has scored in all but one of his five matches since his return in late January.

The only game he drew a blank in was the 3-1 defeat by City at the Brentford Community Stadium on Feb 5.

Said Guardiola: “He is so dangerous. He’s a master to use his body for the second ball, good finishing, you can link with him – he’s one of the best I’ve ever seen (at that).

“A few weeks ago the goal we conceded (to Brentford) we defended not properly but he did it really well.”

Guardiola may have praised Toney but he was even more complimentary about Spanish compatriot Rodri, dubbing him the “best midfielder in the world by far”.

The 27-year-old, who scored City’s winner in the Champions League final last season, has not lost a Premier League game he has featured in for over a year.

His equaliser seven minutes from time in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Feb 17 ensured that record remains unblemished.

The last time Rodri was on the losing side during a league match was on Feb 5, 2023, during a 1-0 loss at Tottenham Hotspur.

Said Guardiola: “He’s an unbelievable player. He’s the best midfield player in the current world by far. It’s because he’s able to do everything.

“So the tempo he has, especially his character when the situation is going wrong, he steps forward to arrive to the box, go backwards, the ability to play short and long. He’s always ready.

“What a signing. Manchester City signed a player that is difficult to understand what we have done in recent years without him. It would’ve been difficult.

“I would say the holding midfielder doesn’t get appreciated like the strikers, the No. 10s, that is good. 

“So when a holding midfielder has a lot of appreciation, it’s not good. Holding midfielder has to play for the team... for him and for the team. Rodri always has the ability in the important moments to score goals.”

Former Premier League Player of the Season and World Cup Silver Ball winner Eden Hazard, however, recently called another City midfielder the world’s best.

The retired former Chelsea winger said of Kevin de Bruyne on the Obi One podcast with former teammate John Obi Mikel: “He sees things other players don’t see...

“Guardiola gives him the freedom. Every time Kevin has the ball, he’s free, and that’s why he’s the best. Because Kevin, when he’s free, is not just the best player in the Premier League, but in the world.”

With Phil Foden performing well in the No. 10 role during de Bruyne’s absence, there had been some anticipation that the 32-year-old playmaker might be deployed slightly further back, alongside Rodri.

But Guardiola has dispelled such talk after returning the Belgian to the No. 10 role since his return from a hamstring issue in January.

He said: “No. He has to be in the final third. He has not to defend deeper. I want Kevin in the final third. It’s his talent. His huge talent is there.

“When you attack the final third, he can move a little with freedom, right or left, to make his incredible talent.

“When you drop, sometimes in the moment you have to defend.

“The role from Rodri, Gundo (Ilkay Gundogan) last season or Bernardo (Silva) this season or Kova (Mateo Kovacic) this season, he has not.”