Rodri bemoans inconsistent EPL refereeing & finds it 'difficult' to stay calm

Manchester City midfielder Rodri lamented the standard of Premier League refereeing and admitted that confusion around decisions is making it hard for him to keep his composure.

The 27-year-old is three yellow cards away from a two-match suspension after picking up another booking during the dramatic victory at Newcastle United on Saturday evening.

His latest was for a challenge on Bruno Guimaraes almost immediately after City claimed the Brazilian should have seen red himself.

Rodri was seen remonstrating with referee Chris Kavanagh at half-time and gesturing to Bernardo Silva after the final whistle at the inconsistencies in decisions.

When put to him that players are struggling to understand ever-changing laws, he said: ‘I agree. To be honest, the referee [at Newcastle] was unbelievable in a negative way.

‘We don't understand many things that happened. We don’t feel that equal to some behaviours.

‘It's difficult [to stay calm]. The referee doesn't help much, but we don’t want the help, we just want it to be fair in both directions and I think Saturday they weren’t.

‘This season I have seven yellow cards with two or three tackles, the other are for I don't know what, but it is what it is.’

City saw goalkeeper Ederson substituted early with a deep wound in his leg as a direct consequence of the linesman keeping his flag down instead of ruling offside. John Stones has been ruled out for weeks following a similar incident at Everton over Christmas.

Rodri suggested that the directive needs reviewing. ‘We have an injury because of this [offside] situation,’ he added. ‘I think it is ridiculous. It could have been worse, fortunately it was just a kick, but there are lots of injuries in this situation.

‘We have to check if it's the best option to follow the game. This is something we have to look but they will decide, we have nothing to say this.’

In a run that dates back to last February, the Spaniard is now unbeaten in 50 matches – missing City’s three Premier League defeats through suspension.

He believes the return of Kevin De Bruyne, who inspired City’s comeback at St James’ Park, will only lift the group as they hunt down an unprecedented fourth consecutive title.

‘Kev’s unbelievable, [even] with no physicality right now he has the talent to do these amazing things,’ Rodri said.

‘There have been games where we were better in my opinion, but we didn't have this extra talent to score.

‘And with Kevin, everything is easy. This is the reality, we need him. All of these years, we need him now. He's going to be so important. I told him that his season starts now.’