With months left before the summer transfer window slams shut, Manchester City still have plenty of time to make more signings.
Pep Guardiola will determine Manchester City’s summer business based on how they fare in the FIFA Club World Cup.
City have only played one game in the competition, with Tijjani Reijnders impressing, Rayan Cherki undergoing expected teething issues and Rayan Ait-Nouri watching their 2-0 win against Wydad AC from the sidelines.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak revealed Manchester City are ambitious as a group of players and they would likely welcome new additions to boost their chances of winning silverware next season.
Man City may not need to sign Ardon Jashari after Tijjani Reijnders impresses vs Wydad AC
Manchester City were in talks to sign Ardon Jashari, who could cost £29 million this summer as a potential understudy to Rodri in the defensive midfield department.
However, based on how impressive Reijnders looked as a number six for Manchester City against Wydad AC, they may no longer need to sign Jashari.
Manchester City consider Reijnders a number eight but against the Moroccan side, he ran the show in a deeper position, playing line-splitting passes for fun, looking at ease in deeper areas of the pitch and defending adeptly.
In the second half, Pep Guardiola pushed the Dutchman further up the pitch and surprisingly, the 26-year-old’s impact on proceedings waned in his natural position.
As a holding midfielder, Reijnders seemed to grasp Guardiola’s demands as he picked up the ball from the centre-backs, picked the right passes and controlled the tempo of the contest.
The stats emphasise just how well the former AZ Alkmaar midfielder performed in his first game as a City player.
| TIJJANI REIJNDERS STATS VS WYDAD AC | |
| PASSES INTO FINAL THIRD | 8 |
| SUCCESSFUL DRIBBLES | 1 |
| PASSES COMPLETED | 64/72 (92%) |
| DUELS WON | 2/3 |
| TACKLES WON | 1/1 |
| TOUCHES | 82 |
Ultimately, Manchester City will decide whether they should still sign Jashari despite Reijnders’ performance as a holding midfielder against Wydad AC emerging as a pleasant surprise.
But with Nico Gonzalez capable of doing a job as a defensive midfielder, perhaps Hugo Viana and Co might have to rethink their plans about making a move for the Swiss youngster.
Tijjani Reijnders career stats as a defensive midfielder
Furthermore, Reijnders has plenty of experience playing as a defensive midfielder.
| TIJJANI REIJNDERS AS A DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER | |
| APPEARANCES | 52 |
| GOALS | 5 |
| ASSISTS | 6 |
The Zwolle-born orchestrator has played 52 games in a holding midfield position, amassing five goals and six assists in the process.
Borussia Dortmund were targeting Jashari as an alternative to their new signing Jobe Bellingham and whether Manchester City decide to take advantage of a potential free run at bringing him in or keep the faith in Reijnders remains to be seen.
