Manchester City fans will be over the moon about the addition of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.
Reijnders idolises Kevin De Bruyne and as a result, the Dutchman will be honoured to play for the same club where the Belgian cemented his status as a legend.
It seems like the Dutchman has been looking forward to playing for City, with Reijnders admitting to speaking to Nathan Ake about a move to the Etihad Stadium.
While the 26-year-old still has plenty to prove under Pep Guardiola, he is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the world.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic called Man City new-boy Tijjani Reijnders ‘exceptional’
AC Milan’s senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic has watched Tijjani Reijnders up close for years now.
Last season, the Dutch international was possibly the one and only shining light in a poor Milan side who endured one of the worst campaigns in their storied history by finishing eighth in Serie A.
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However, Reijnders is widely viewed as a top player and Zlatan Ibrahimovic thinks that is the case as well, singing his praises in November via Calciomercato: “As for Reijnders, I think he is the player who has grown the most in a short time. He arrived from Holland, from the great work he did at AZ, and he is doing an exceptional job.”
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images
“He has become an important player for the team, for the club and for his national team, proving to be a high-level profile. I am very satisfied with both of them [Reijnders and Christian Pulisic], and they are essential for us.”
Manchester City view Reijnders as Ilkay Gundogan’s heir, a weight of expectations he may be able to handle after Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed how he coped with being aware of AC Milan’s history of having iconic Dutch players at their disposal.
“If we go back, there is the historic trio with Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit, who were icons and symbols of the club. The Dutch players have a good CV at the club, and Reijnders feels a bit of pressure to be Dutch and to have to prove his worth. But he is doing a great job. We are very satisfied with him and he must continue like this. Like every Milan player, however, he will be remembered for what he wins. If you don’t win, you are not remembered.”
How Pep Guardiola privately feels about Tijjani Reijnders
Manchester City fans have every reason to be excited about Reijnders’ arrival, considering a legend of the game like Zlatan Ibrahimovic is such a huge admirer of their latest signing.
Ibrahimovic knows a top midfielder when he sees one, having played with illustrious names like Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Marco Verratti to name a few.
The good news for Manchester City is that Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of Reijnders and believes he is the perfect central midfielder.
Furthermore, Guardiola’s view on Reijnders’ signing is that he could enable City to win the league next season, which explains why Hugo Viana was tasked with the responsibility of sealing his arrival.
All eyes will now be on the former AZ Alkmaar midfielder to live up to the hype surrounding his name.