Manchester City midfielder Rodri has launched a scathing attack on Premier League referees, demanding they maintain complete "neutrality" after his team's thrilling and disappointing draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, a result that dealt a severe blow to City's hopes of retaining their title.

Match scenario and refereeing controversy

Manchester City were in complete control of the match in north London, leading 2-0 and seemingly securing all three points. However, the turning point came when the referee awarded a goal to Tottenham, scored by Dominic Solanke. This goal sparked a storm of controversy, as television replays showed strong contact and a possible foul by the striker on City defender Mark Guihi before the ball crossed the line.

The excitement didn't stop there, as Solanke returned to score the equalizer in a spectacular fashion with a "scorpion kick," forcing City to settle for a single point, thus widening the gap with leaders Arsenal to a full six points, a significant difference given the fierce competition in the Premier League.

Rodri's angry statements

Speaking to Australian network Stan Sport, Rodri did not hide his feeling of injustice, saying: “I know we have won a lot in recent years, and people don’t want us to win again, but the referee has to be impartial. Honestly, what happened is unfair to me.”.

The Spanish star added, explaining the details of the controversial situation: “In the end, when everything is over, we feel frustrated because the mistake was very clear. He kicked his leg, and of course, due to the push resulting from the movement, the ball reached the goal. Mark Guihi got to the ball first, and it was a clear mistake.”.

The context of the competition and the pressure to retain the title

These comments come at a very sensitive time in the Premier League. Manchester City, who have dominated the competition in recent seasons, face an unprecedented challenge in maintaining their high level of performance. Analysts believe Rodri's remarks reflect the immense psychological pressure on the team, as the smallest details now determine the fate of the title.

Rodri emphasized this point, saying, “We have to pay attention to these small details, otherwise it will become difficult for everyone, because that’s how this tournament is; it’s decided by the details, and everything counts.” He stressed that the feeling of injustice wasn’t limited to today’s match, but extended to two or three similar incidents in recent weeks.

Guardiola and the theory of “playing against the current”

Rodri is not the only dissenting voice within the Etihad; Spanish coach Pep Guardiola this sentiment last week, asserting that his team's historic success came "despite" consistently biased refereeing decisions against them. This alignment of opinions between the coach and the players points to a firm conviction within the City dressing room that the team is facing double standards in refereeing that could hinder their title aspirations this season.

Reliable French press reports have revealed rapid developments in the contracts file of the Saudi Al-Ittihad club during the current winter transfer period, as “Al-Ameed” is on the verge of finalizing a promising attacking deal from the French league to strengthen the ranks of the first football team.

According to a report published Monday by the French website Foot Mercato, Al-Ittihad officials have reached a near-final agreement with young striker George Ilenikhina, currently playing for AS Monaco. The report indicates that Al-Ittihad's management successfully convinced the 19-year-old player of the club's project, agreeing to a long-term contract extending until 2029. The deal is valued at approximately €33 million, reflecting the club's strong desire to invest in young talent.

A promising career and a rising talent

Despite his young age, George Ilenikhina boasts an impressive sporting record. He joined Monaco during the summer transfer window of the 2024/2025 season from Belgian side Royal Antwerp. The player had attracted considerable attention during his time in Belgium, demonstrating exceptional goal-scoring ability and quick reflexes in the penalty area, making him a target for several European clubs before Monaco secured his services.

On the digital level this season, the young Nigerian striker played (20) matches wearing the jersey of the French principality club, during which he succeeded in scoring four goals, during (437) minutes of play, which is a good rate for a substitute player seeking to prove himself in one of the top five leagues.

Strategy for attracting young talent

This potential deal comes amidst a notable strategic shift in the transfer policy of Saudi Pro League clubs, particularly Al-Ittihad. After focusing in previous seasons on attracting seasoned international stars, the club is now moving towards building a team for the future by signing young talents with significant room for development, capable of contributing for many years to come.

This deal is of particular importance to Al-Ittihad Club, which seeks to strengthen its attacking options and find effective and young alternatives capable of carrying the team's banner in the future, and competing strongly for all local and continental titles, especially in light of the intense competition that the Saudi League is currently witnessing.

Informed sources have settled the controversy surrounding the future of Saudi international right-back, Saud Abdulhamid, who currently plays for French club Lens, amid reports that the two Riyadh giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr, are keen to acquire his services during the current winter transfer window.

Sources told Al-Midan that Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr clubs have not submitted any official offer to sign the player. The statements made on Monday indicated that there is no official offer submitted to the Saudi national team player and Lens club by the management of Al-Hilal or Al-Nasr at the present time, thus denying all the rumors that linked the player to a quick return to the Roshan Professional League.

Saud Abdul Hamid's stance on remaining in Europe

The same sources emphasized that the 26-year-old player is staying with his French club, where he is currently focused on proving himself in European football. Saud Abdulhamid is playing this season on loan at Lens from Italian side Roma, a professional experience through which he seeks to gain more experience and exposure to French football, known for its physicality and technical prowess.

Saud Abdulhameed's numbers with Lance

On the technical side, the right-back, whose market value is around €3 million, continues to deliver increasingly impressive performances. He has made 15 appearances for Lens so far, contributing to the attack with one goal and two assists, playing a total of 619 minutes, reflecting his gradual integration into the French team's system.

The importance of Saud Abdulhameed's professional experience

Saud Abdulhamid's experience holds immense significance for Saudi football, as his previous transfer from Al-Hilal to AS Roma was a historic step, making him the first Saudi player to play professionally in the Italian Serie A (Calcio). Saudi fans view this experience as a gateway for more local talents to pursue professional careers in Europe's top five leagues, which will positively impact the performance of the Saudi national team in upcoming international competitions.

Why is the player's name associated with Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr?

The connection between Saud Abdulhamid and a return to Saudi Arabia stems from his high technical ability and the scarcity of local players with the same quality and international experience at right-back. Both Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are looking to bolster their squads with top local talent to compete for all titles. However, the player's current desire and inclination are geared towards continuing his professional career in Europe, supported by his existing contract with Roma and his current loan spell with Lens.