Sport
Reijnders has filled the Kevin de Bruyne-shaped hole in City’s midfield
In the end, Manchester City missed the chance to keep the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, conceding a stoppage time goal to drop points at home to Chelsea on Sunday. It was a result that halted City’s momentum and highlighted where Pep Guardiola’s team still has some progress to make.
None of this was Tijani Reijnders’ fault, though. The Dutch midfielder scored the opening goal for Manchester City and made an impact throughout the match, giving the home side dynamism and physicality through the middle of the pitch. Reijnders was arguably the best City player on the day.
He’s been one of City’s best players over the course of the 2025/26 campaign. Signed from AC Milan last summer, Reijnders was a big part of the squad reconstruction that took place at the Etihad Stadium in 2025. Primarily, the 27-year-old was signed to replace the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne.
De Bruyne left Manchester City a club icon. The Belgian was a key figure for Guardiola over several seasons, winning countless titles and trophies in sky blue. In the second half of last season, though, it became clear that De Bruyne had faded as a physical force. City needed to replace him.
Rayan Cherki was part of the succession plan. The French international is a natural creator in possession and has quickly settled in on the right side of Manchester City’s new-look frontline where he has the freedom to drift inside and link up with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.
In Reijnders, though, Manchester City found a midfielder capable of playing at speed through the centre of the pitch. Reijnders is an exceptional ball carrier and likes to make late runs into the box – see the Netherlands international’s strike in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea. De Bruyne used to do similar.
“Really good,” said Guardiola when asked for his assessment of Reijnder’s impact at City. “Lovely guy and has made an impact from day one. His pace, he can help with the holding midfield. He can make runs inside the pockets and the spaces that sometimes we allow defenders to create. At Milan he was exceptional and with the national team. We knew he is a top signing for the coming years for City.”
Manchester City remain a work-in-progress. Sunday’s home draw against Chelsea made this clear. While City controlled the majority of the game, they allowed Chelsea to counter and create problems in quick transition before Enzo Fernandez ultimately snatched a point for the visitors in stoppage time.
Another season of development might be required before Manchester City can win another Premier League title, but Reijnders is someone Guardiola can build around. At 27, the Dutchman is entering his peak years as a professional and has taken everything in his stride after arriving from a different league and country in the summer.
Rodri has yet to be fully reintegrated into the Manchester City midfield after missing such a long period through injury. The Spaniard helped City control possession in the first half against Chelsea, but faded as the match progressed. Nonetheless, with Rodri at the base of the midfield, Reijnders had the freedom to get forward.
Injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol will test Manchester City’s defensive depth, potentially pushing the club into the January transfer window. Marcu Guehi, who could be available for a knock-down price considering his Crystal Palace contract expires this summer, has been mentioned as a target.
In Reijnders, though, Manchester City found someone to fill the void left by one of their greatest-ever players. Reijnders might never reach the same level as De Bruyne, but he has replaced a lot of what left the Etihad Stadium in the summer when the legendary Belgian departed.
