Gonzalez enjoyed a close bond with Rodri and always acknowledged, with humility, that only a handful of players get to start in his role at clubs chasing top trophies.
At Manchester City under Guardiola, that role belonged to Rodri. After the midfielder’s switch to Barcelona, new boss Enzo Maresca moved to add Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, having already brought in Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
The club also appears poised to table an offer for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
Even so, leaving Manchester City—where Gonzalez felt at home—wasn’t straightforward. But Newcastle can offer the central role he’s been seeking.
The energetic Spaniard views the move as a chance to keep growing, something that has always motivated him.
“Toure” praised his mindset, noting that in one-to-one video reviews Gonzalez was eager to learn, invited guidance, and was receptive to constructive criticism—traits that, in Toure’s view, will keep driving his improvement.
Gonzalez has shown that capacity for growth before, notably after departing Barcelona, where he began his professional journey.
After a decade rising through Barca’s ranks, he needed a move to truly blossom elsewhere.
A successful loan at Valencia led to a permanent switch to Porto at 21, and from there he earned his move to Manchester City.
Former Barcelona B teammate Roger Riera believes those experiences have given him “another vision.”
Having sampled different leagues and styles, Riera says Gonzalez has added layers to his game and become a more complete footballer—“a better package now.”