Rodri called for control measures to be taken to prevent Europe’s best talent from leaving for the Saudi Pro League.
Several stars, including Rodri’s Manchester City teammates Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte, have joined the Middle East this summer, which the Spanish midfielder says is worrying for European football.
Rodri wants a control measure to be taken to ensure that Europe does not lose its best talent in the future.
Addressing the Manchester Evening News, Rodri expressed his concerns: “DObviously, European football is losing out with this situation and it is a very particular opinion of the players who decide to go to these leagues. This is completely understandable because of the money they are offering. I think this is a personal question that everyone must decide for themselves.
“We Europeans don’t really like it. This talent drain must be controlled one way or another. At first it seemed like it was just veterans in the twilight of their careers, but now there are young guys leaving. These are respectable decisions, but the people who take action must control this situation.
Besides experienced stars like Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, some players in their prime like Gabri Veiga and Ruben Neves have also joined the Saudi Pro League. Saudi champions Al-Ittihad have made a record late bid of £215million for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, but the Reds have refused to sell him.
