In a dazzling display that sent shockwaves through Molineux Stadium, Tijjani Reijnders announced his arrival at Manchester City with a performance that quelled fears about the departure of club legend Kevin De Bruyne. The 27-year-old Dutch midfielder, signed from AC Milan for £46.3 million in June 2025, marked his Premier League debut with a goal and two assists in a commanding 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 16, 2025. His seamless integration into Pep Guardiola’s squad suggests City’s midfield is in capable hands, even without the Belgian maestro who joined Napoli after a decade of brilliance at the Etihad.
Reijnders’ journey to this moment began with a phone call from his father, Martin, who revealed City’s interest in him as their new number eight. “It was getting near to the end of the season when my father called me to say City were interested in me,” Reijnders recalled. “It was almost a no-brainer when City came and for me it was an easy choice in the end.” The opportunity to play under Guardiola, whom he called “the best coach in the world,” and compete in the Premier League’s high-octane environment was irresistible. “I am very eager to learn new things here and style of playing and that’s what I’m looking forward to,” he added, his ambition clear as he aims to “write my name in the history books” with trophies and stellar performances.
The Dutchman’s debut was a masterclass in versatility and dynamism, qualities that make him a perfect fit for Guardiola’s system. Against Wolves, Reijnders orchestrated the attack with precision, setting up Erling Haaland’s opening goal, scoring a sublime finish for the second, and delivering a pinpoint pass for Haaland’s second strike. “Tijjani Reijnders marks his Premier League debut WITH A GOAL!” roared the Sky Sports commentary, capturing the excitement of his clinical strike. His interplay with Oscar Bobb and substitute Rayan Cherki, who also scored, showcased a revitalized City attack. “We’re top of the league,” chanted the City fans, a sentiment not heard since October of the previous season, reflecting the renewed optimism Reijnders has sparked.
Despite the inevitable comparisons to De Bruyne, Reijnders is adamant about carving his own path. “I’m not here to replace him,” he insisted at City’s Club World Cup training base in Florida. “I have to play my own game. But I take things from different players and what they can do really well and try to adapt that.” Drawing inspiration from De Bruyne’s pitch-scanning and incisive passing, as well as Ilkay Gündogan’s late runs into the box, Reijnders blends creativity with tenacity. His 15 goals and four assists at Milan last season—despite the Rossoneri’s eighth-place finish in Serie A—highlighted his ability to shine in adversity, earning him the Serie A midfielder of the year award. “He is a technical, creative player who can play the key pass and scores goals,” said his former AZ Alkmaar coach Michel Vonk, a view echoed by Netherlands legend Frank Rijkaard, who praised his “generous” style and potential to be “one of the best midfielders in the world.”
City’s need for Reijnders was stark after a trophyless 2024-25 season, their worst under Guardiola, plagued by injuries to Rodri and De Bruyne’s fitness struggles. The team’s possession dropped to 61%, the lowest under Guardiola, and their line-breaking passes plummeted from 973 to 722. Reijnders, with his 84.4% pass completion in the final third and 275 progressive carries, is the antidote to that malaise. “He can express himself best in a team that moves the ball a lot, playing in tight spaces,” noted Serie A expert Aniello Luciano, highlighting his fit for City’s possession-based game. His pre-season brace against Palermo and man-of-the-match performance in the Club World Cup against Wydad AC further signaled his readiness.
As City rebuild, with new signings like Rayan Aït-Nouri and Rayan Cherki, Reijnders’ versatility—capable of playing as a deep-lying playmaker, box-to-box midfielder, or advanced creator—offers Guardiola tactical flexibility. “In the Club World Cup, I played three roles in the midfield and I want to be a midfielder who can play in all of those roles,” Reijnders said, embracing the challenge. With Rodri sidelined until September and Mateo Kovacic out until October, his role is pivotal. Social media buzzed with praise, with fans proclaiming, “City not missing Kdb at all, Tijjani Reijnders is doing a very good job” and dubbing him “the perfect successor.” As City chase silverware, starting with the Club World Cup, Reijnders’ dream debut suggests the Etihad has found a new midfield maestro to lead their charge.
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