Rodrigo says City’s welcome habit of stringing long winning runs together is always difficult.

The Blues have regularly enjoyed Premier League win streaks on several occasions in recent years under Pep Guardiola.

And just last month recorded 12 victories on the bounce before being held by Southampton.

“It’s not always business as usual, that’s for sure,” said Rodrigo.

“We know how tough those kinds of things are. This incredible run of games, with 13 or 14 wins in a row.

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“We know how tough it is. It’s true that we always struggle a little bit at the start of the season because we always have players coming back from different international tournaments, with not many holidays.

“It’s at that time we drop points when maybe the team is not in the best shape.

“But I think the team from the beginning until now, we are doing an unbelievable season.

“Because of the way we focus every game, the mentality of every player, it’s not a surprise, but trust me when I say, it’s so tough to keep focused all the time, that you must win and win all of the time.

We just feel it’s difficult. When you win, you always want more and more, and that makes you feel the confidence to give more to yourself.”

The Spain international has been a defensive midfield rock this season.

Now in his third campaign with City, he has already clocked up 132 appearances, scoring nine goals.

He believes he is  a much better player since arriving at the Etihad.

“I think I have grown a lot,” he said.

“I see my development since my first season. I think I have been at a good level, but I realise how much I have improved on the tactical side, the way I understand the game here.

“I’m very happy about this, it’s a good feeling when you feel you have grown and you have improved as a player. That has always been my ambition. Try to become better every season.

“Pep’s influence has been massive. We are young players that reach the top and you need a guide who tells you how to play at this level, especially in such an important role as holding midfielder.

“You must know exactly what’s going on in the game and I think that is the most difficult part of my role: analyse the games, analyse how I can be important for the team, many times sacrificing myself for what the team needs.

“That is the most important part of the role of holding midfielder. I learned that over the last three years at Manchester City.

“When I first met Pep, our first conversation was all about football because it’s our life.

“The moment I signed, I remember him showing me pictures with movements. I thought it was my first day here and he was already showing me ways to move on the pitch!”