Tijjani Reijnders, Manchester City's newest midfield addition, is aiming to inject a new dimension into the team's attack, drawing inspiration from teammate Ilkay Gündogan. The 26-year-old Dutchman, who recently completed a £46.3 million move from AC Milan, has expressed his desire to emulate Gündogan's goal-scoring prowess and become a key figure in City's midfield.
Reijnders' arrival comes at a time when City is looking to bolster their midfield options and add more firepower to their attack. In the 2024/25 season, only Erling Haaland and Phil Foden managed to reach double figures in goals, a statistic that highlights the need for greater contributions from other areas of the pitch. Reijnders, who bagged 15 goals in all competitions for AC Milan last season, is confident that he can provide that extra spark.
"It's very important to score goals as a midfielder and it's what I'm looking [to do at City] — that and assists," Reijnders stated, highlighting his ambition to contribute both goals and assists to the team. He recognizes the importance of his role, especially in the number 8 position, which was previously occupied by Ilkay Gündogan.
The Dutch international has already begun studying Gündogan's game, hoping to learn from the veteran midfielder's experience and expertise. "I've watched the clips of Kevin (De Bruyne) a lot, but Gundogan is someone I can learn a lot from," Reijnders admitted. "It's nice to see him nearby and the way he does it.”
Reijnders' journey to the Etihad Stadium has been marked by hard work and determination. After a somewhat quiet first season with AC Milan, where he scored only four goals, he dedicated himself to improving his goal-scoring ability. "Last season with Milan, I was on the scoresheet more," he said. "The first season at Milan I wasn't calm in my head when I had opportunities to score and it was something I was thinking about in the summer after. I watched clips of myself when I got into those situations and tried to adapt to those kinds of things in the second season, to be calmer in front of goal.”
His efforts paid off, as he finished the following season as Milan's second-highest scorer, behind Christian Pulisic. This improved form caught the attention of Manchester City, who identified him as the ideal player to strengthen their midfield.
According to reports, Pep Guardiola sees Reijnders as a perfect fit for the number 8 role, a position that requires both technical ability and a strong work ethic. Reijnders' qualities align well with Guardiola's philosophy, as he is known for his passing range, dribbling skills, and ability to break the lines with his runs from deep. Furthermore, his stats from the 2024/25 Serie A season reveal that he consistently progresses play by carrying the ball forward.
Reijnders' eagerness to learn and his determination to improve have already impressed many at Manchester City. His desire to emulate Ilkay Gündogan is a testament to his ambition and his willingness to work hard to achieve his goals. As he embarks on this new chapter in his career, Reijnders is determined to make a significant impact at Manchester City and help the team achieve even greater success.
