Manchester City new-boy Tijjani Reijnders looks like one of the signings of the summer already.
As the Dutchman is an expert technician, physically gifted, able to dictate the tempo of games and experienced, he seems tailor-made to make the number eight role his own at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola and Hugo Viana rate Reijnders highly as the pair are of the opinion that the 26-year-old has all the attributes to be an excellent central midfielder for them.
Reijnders expressed his excitement to join Manchester City as well by departing the Dutch camp to undergo his medical recently — as all parties involved seem to be on the same wavelength.
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Tijjani Reijnders reveals Man City tried to sign him at the end of last season
Now that Tijjani Reijnders is a City player, he does not have much time to reflect on his big move as the former AZ Alkmaar midfielder has to put in the hard yards in preparation for the FIFA Club World Cup.
But considering Reijnders extended his contract with AC Milan in March, his career has taken an unexpected turn since then.
The Zwolle-born star revealed via ESPN UK that Manchester City first approached his father at the end of last season to sign him and he was instantly on board: “They contacted my father near the end of the season and they were looking for a number eight and for me, it was not a big doubt if I wanted to join Manchester City, it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world right now, the choice at the end was easy to make.”
Reijnders added: “Of course, Milan will always be in my heart, I had two really good seasons there, met very nice people but you also have to look at the sporting way but I have some goals to reach in my career and I think I can reach those quickly.”
What Pep Guardiola said to Tijjani Reijnders when they first met
Pep Guardiola spoke to Reijnders after the day his move to Manchester City was announced and the pair seemed to instantly hit it off.
Guardiola joked: “He can run or not?”
“Thanks for everything.”
Pep Guardiola went on to tell Reijnders: “Hopefully, you can have a good time here, and we’ll try to take good care of you. The league is top, you will see! And the club is top, the facilities, and everything.”
