This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…

Manchester City returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening. Pep Guardiola's side have now moved within six points of Liverpool after the Reds drew 1-1 against Manchester United on Sunday.

The three points against the Eagles was also the first time that City had kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since they humiliated Watford 8-0 last month, which can put to rest some of the concerns about their defensive issues after Aymeric Laporte's injury.

Laporte was told he faces up to six months on the sidelines because of a knee injury picked up against Brighton & Hove Albion, which immediately proved to be a problem as the club lost to Norwich City the following game.

However, with the addition of Rodri in central defence, City may well have found a solution to their most pressing and season-defining problem.

Rodri, alongside Fernandinho in central defence, earned a 7.6 rating from SofaScore - only Joao Cancelo had higher in City's back four.

The Spaniard's ability to distribute the ball is perhaps the best attribute he brings to the role as a centre-back, and against the Eagles, Rodri completed 99 passes with an impressive 90% success rate.

The club-record signing also managed to complete nine accurate long balls out of the 14 he attempted.

The former Atletico Madrid man also made one tackle, although, as City saw 72% of the ball and made six tackles as a team, it's fair to say his services were not needed as much in this department. However, Rodri did block two shots at Selhurst Park, with Cancelo the only other man to stop a strike on goal for the champions.

Guardiola famously switched Javier Mascherano to centre-back at Barcelona in 2011 due to an injury to Carlos Puyol. At just 5ft 8in, Mascherano was not expected to be a defensive powerhouse, but his ability in distributing the ball and reading the game made him an ideal candidate for the role.

When Guardiola left, Mascherano continued to play in central defence at Barcelona for years to come and the City boss may want to do the same with Rodri.

With Nicolas Otamendi proving to be a reckless liability of late, Guardiola may be inclined to move Fernandinho into defensive midfield once John Stones returns and keep Rodri in central defence with the England international.

Rodri's latest display may have revealed a familiar solution for Guardiola.