Tijjani Reijnders has won 22 caps for the Netherlands The prospective arrival of AC Milan and Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders marks the start of a summer rebuild for Manchester City. Deposed as Premier League champions by Liverpool, City finished third last term and spent much of the second half of the campaign in a five-way fight for a Champions League berth - which was only secured on the final day. A knee injury left them without Ballon d'Or winner and midfield enforcer Rodri for much of 2024-25, while the departure of talisman Kevin de Bruyne, 33, has long been confirmed. It appears to be a changing-of-the-guard moment for City and their manager Pep Guardiola, who spent £180m in the winter transfer window to reinforce his squad. Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has also been targeted and, with a number of players turning or moving towards the wrong side of 30, there are question marks over the future of about a dozen senior stars at the club - givenGuardiola's desire to reducethe size of his squad. But just where will Reijnders fit in? BBC Sport looks at what role the Dutch star could play under Guardiola. Reijnders joins City in a period which feels like a revolution rather than a renewal, and one that may require a revolving door at the Etihad over the next few months. Midfielders Kalvin Phillips, James McAtee and Jack Grealish have all been tipped to leave the club, along with the likes of Kyle Walker. Then you have Ederson, Stefan Ortega, Nathan Ake and John Stones, whose futures have also been the topic of much media speculation. Finding the right time to replace ageing stars like Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and the injured Mateo Kovacic in City's midfield will also surely be in Guardiola's thinking. Despite the £50m acquisition of Nico Gonzalez in February, the lack of running power and physicality in City's engine room was exposed on domestic and European stages as they failed to win a major trophy for the first time in eight years. And Reijnders, who turns 27 in July and is reaching the peak of his powers, is viewed as the man to help alter that dynamic. A powerful box-to-box midfielder, Reijnders ended last season with 10 goals and four assists in Serie A, with only one player in his position, Napoli's Scott McTominay (16), having more goal involvements. His performances were also considered one of the few positives in a disappointing season for Milan, who finished eighth in Serie A and missed out on European qualification. Reijnders was ranked ninth for forward passes in Italy's top flight last term and was fifth for through balls and carrying the ball, which underlines his qualities in progressing play. "He will slot in very well at City, he runs a lot, he's very willing to improve and he will love working with Guardiola," said Italian football journalist Daniele Verri. "He improved a lot since his first season at AC Milan." Kevin de Bruyne & Tijjani Reijnders statistics from the Premier League and Serie A in 2024-25 While Reijnders has shown he is adept playing at the base of a midfield three or in a double pivot, his versatility makes him an ideal candidate to contribute positively to City's possession-based game. But whether the man who worked at a local supermarket while learning his trade at PEC Zwolle is the heir to De Bruyne remains to be seen. His former boss at AZ Alkmaar, Pascal Jansen, has previously spoken about how he believed Reijnders was better deployed in a central midfield position, rather than a more attacking number 10 role. Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, who City showed a keen interest in before the Germanexpressed a wish to head to Anfield,would have seemed a more natural successor in style to the Belgian. And City are also being linked with Lyon attacker Rayan Cherki, who would arguably be a better positional match to De Bruyne than Reijnders. De Bruyne averaged more assists, shots on target, created more chances and played considerably more passes into opposition penalty areas per game (11.8 to 3.6) than Reijnders last season. However, since moving to the San Siro in 2023 Reijnders has shown the ability to perform well in different roles under the management of Stefano Pioli, Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao. He flourished when given a license to roam forward, can shoot effectively from distance and is also not afraid to put his foot in and mix it when required - not a quality that De Bruyne is particularly noted for. "He has played in different systems at AC Milan, but in my opinion he's at his best when he doesn't play too far from the opponent's penalty area, because he really has good runs and can enter the area easily," added Verri. "City can expect goals, he has a powerful shot from distance. He can take free-kicks too. He seems to be a nice guy, as he was very loved in the dressing room. "He laughs all the time, even when he misses a goal or something."
A De Bruyne replacement? How Reijnders could fit Man City rebuild
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Tijjani Reijnders Joins Manchester City Amid Major Squad Overhaul"
Bbc News
7.6
TruthLens AI Summary
The potential signing of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan signals the beginning of a significant transformation for Manchester City, following a disappointing season that saw them finish third in the Premier League and lose their title to Liverpool. This change comes on the heels of the departure of key players such as Kevin de Bruyne and an injury to Rodri, which left City scrambling for Champions League qualification, achieved only on the last day of the season. Manager Pep Guardiola is poised for a rebuild, having already invested £180 million in the winter transfer window to bolster his squad. With several senior players nearing the end of their careers or facing uncertain futures, including Kalvin Phillips, James McAtee, and Kyle Walker, the club is at a crossroads that requires careful planning to maintain competitiveness in both domestic and European football. Reijnders, who has shown versatility and skill as a powerful box-to-box midfielder, is expected to play a crucial role in this transition, especially given his impressive statistics from last season where he recorded 10 goals and four assists in Serie A.
Reijnders' arrival presents an intriguing dynamic as City seeks to replace ageing stars and rejuvenate their midfield. His ability to adapt to various roles, whether in a midfield three or as part of a double pivot, aligns well with Guardiola's possession-based strategy. Although comparisons to de Bruyne highlight the gap in their playmaking statistics, Reijnders brings a different style that could benefit City. His former coach at AZ Alkmaar emphasized that Reijnders thrives when positioned close to the opponent's penalty area, suggesting he could contribute significantly to City's attacking efforts. Furthermore, his capacity for long-range shooting and set-piece execution adds another layer to his potential impact. As City navigates this pivotal moment, Reijnders' integration into the squad will be closely watched, with expectations that he could help reshape the team's identity moving forward.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an analysis of the potential signing of Tijjani Reijnders by Manchester City, emphasizing the context of a significant team transition following a disappointing season. The narrative positions this move within a broader strategy of rebuilding the squad, particularly in midfield, as the club faces the departures and aging of key players.
Rebuilding Strategy and Team Dynamics
The article highlights the urgent need for Manchester City to rejuvenate its squad after losing the Premier League title and facing a tough season. The mention of several players potentially leaving suggests a strategic shift aimed at not just replacing talent but also refreshing the team’s overall dynamics. This indicates a broader strategy under Pep Guardiola, who is known for evolving his squad to maintain competitiveness.
Impact of Key Departures
The departures of high-profile players such as Kevin De Bruyne and the injury to Rodri have left significant gaps in the team. The article implies that replacing such influential figures will be pivotal to the club's future success. The narrative suggests that the arrival of Reijnders is not merely a tactical addition but a necessary step towards a more sustainable team structure.
Media Speculation and Public Perception
There’s a clear acknowledgment of the media speculation surrounding the futures of various senior players, which reflects a degree of uncertainty within the club. This uncertainty may influence public perception, especially among fans who may feel anxious about the team's direction. The article seems to aim at reassuring fans that the club is taking proactive steps to address these challenges.
Potential Manipulation and Hidden Agendas
While the article presents factual information regarding transfers and player conditions, it could also subtly guide public sentiment towards a more optimistic view of the club's future. The focus on Reijnders as a solution may downplay the gravity of the current squad's issues. This could be seen as a way to mask the deeper challenges facing the team, creating an impression of progress while significant gaps remain.
Trustworthiness and Conclusion
Overall, the article appears to be grounded in factual reporting, with references to player movements and managerial strategies. However, its optimistic framing of Reijnders' potential impact may lead to questions about its neutrality. Thus, while it provides valuable insights into Manchester City's situation, the underlying message could be perceived as somewhat manipulative, emphasizing hope over the challenges that lie ahead.