Reijnders Shows Promise at Man City Despite Early Struggles

Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has faced challenges since joining the club, but many believe he has the potential to flourish under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola. The Dutch player made a striking debut in the Premier League, scoring and assisting in a 4-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, his performance since then has raised questions, particularly after he managed only one goal until a recent match against Fulham.

In a thrilling 5-4 encounter on Tuesday night, Reijnders scored his second goal for City, but doubts linger about whether he can replicate his impressive record from last season at AC Milan, where he netted 15 goals across all competitions. The €46 million transfer in August 2023 sparked high expectations, and while some critics have begun to express concern, football analyst Lorenzo Bettoni remains optimistic about Reijnders’s potential.

Adapting to a New Style of Play

Bettoni, writing for Football Italia, noted that the transition from Milan to Manchester City involves a significant adjustment. He pointed out that in his first season with Milan, Reijnders scored four goals and provided four assists, but he dramatically improved in his second season. Bettoni highlighted that many of Reijnders’s goals last year came from counterattacks, which may not align with City’s possession-focused style.

“Man City likes to keep the ball under Guardiola,” Bettoni explained. “While Milan attempted to do the same last season, a significant portion of Reijnders’s goals came from quick transitions and counterattacks. He excels at finding the right position in the box, and that ability may be tested here.”

Despite his current challenges, Bettoni believes that Reijnders’s intelligence and quality will ultimately lead to success at City. “It’s only a matter of time before he fulfills his potential,” he asserted, emphasizing that adaptation takes time.

Impact of Teammates and Competition

Reijnders finds himself in a competitive environment at City, especially with the emergence of Rayan Cherki, who impressed in his recent start against Fulham. Guardiola’s decision to bench Reijnders indicates the fierce competition for starting positions, which could further motivate the midfielder to elevate his performance.

The situation is not unique to Reijnders; Gianluigi Donnarumma, another former Milan player, has also joined City recently. Donnarumma has made a notable impact but has faced some criticism regarding his game management. Bettoni believes this criticism is exaggerated and is confident in Guardiola’s ability to develop Donnarumma’s leadership qualities.

“He has joined one of the best coaches in football history,” Bettoni said regarding Donnarumma. “He is still young at 26, and this experience at City will help him improve his leadership skills.”

As Reijnders navigates the pressures of his new role, the support from experts like Bettoni suggests that his journey at Manchester City is just beginning. While immediate results may falter, the long-term outlook remains positive for both him and his fellow Milan teammate, Donnarumma.