Manchester City defender Matheus Nunes spoke about the impact that Enzo Fernandez has already had on the group
Manchester City spent over £400m in the transfer window despite awaiting an outcome into their alleged 115 charges case.
Enzo Fernandez(Image: (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))
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Enzo Fernandez has already brought a fresh energy to the Manchester City squad that his new teammates feel was needed. The £125m deadline day signing made his debut for the club on Saturday and has been quick to impress at the Etihad.
City went out of their way to reject interest in Fernandez at the start of the transfer window but he was always Enzo Maresca's preferred option in a summer where Rodri and Bernardo Silva left. The 25-year-old signed from Chelsea to complete a midfield overhaul that has seen more than £300m spent with Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi also arriving.
Fernandez did not have long to think about his City debut, coming into the starting XI against Coventry at the weekend after Nico O'Reilly was injured in the warm-up. It was a composed performance from the Argentine on debut though and Matheus Nunes spoke ahead of the Champions League game with Porto about the impact Fernandez has already made.
"He brought so much energy - I can feel a new energy around and I think we needed that. He has such a good energy- he knows the club and the standards," said Nunes. "I think it’s incredible the players they brought in, [they] are so good - the best players for the teams they were playing for and we are happy to have them.
"Sometimes players go and new players come in and we have to pass on the DNA and identity of the club. They are happy to be here and it’s part of the process."
City have underperformed in the last three years in the Champions League and face a tricky start in Porto as they look to open with a win in the eight-game group phase. Nunes knows Porto better than most given his past with Sporting and knows the levels City will have to reach.
"Every year is different. Champions League, you are talking about the most difficult club tournament," he said. "It's very different every year, especially the knockouts - if you don't do as good as you'd like you are out. Not like the Premier League where you can still come back.
"Champions League is like that and you play the best teams from all countries. Every team wants to win every season. This season is no different - we want to win and we will do everything we can to do."