With Rodri they would have more cover in front of the defence. And despite his size, he is aggressive. Kante is no giant either. No other midfielder does this better than Rodri in the whole the City squad.
Ok. I wasn't saying "the Rodri decision wasn't an issue and the Sterling one was", just that City's forwards (including Sterling who I think has been in poor form for a while) didn't trouble Chelsea's CHs.
It's not THIS Pep choice was the reason they lost, the OTHERS weren't, it's a collective.
Not playing Rodri/Fernandinho as a Def Mid, playing Gundogan out of position, not playing a proper CF (to make the CHs work), only putting a sub on by necessity (the KdB injury)... it's all of them.
Yet again, Pep over-thinks things instead of trusting his usual team/game plan.
But give the man a midfield of Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta plus an all time great and fair play to him, he does win trophies