Tijjani Reijnders can arguably be considered the Premier League’s standout player after the first round of Premier League fixtures.
While other players such as Antoine Semenyo, Richarlison, Erling Haaland and Mohammed Kudus impressed as well, the Manchester City technician almost singlehandedly led the visitors to a win at the Molineux Stadium.
Whether it be Tijjani Reijnders’ sublime pre-assist for Haaland’s first goal, his cracking finish to double City’s lead or how he set the Norwegian’s brace up, the Dutchman stole the show in several ways.
Gary Neville lauded Reijnders’ heroics against Wolves by admitting that he was unaware that the 27-year-old was “this good” of a player.
Even Alan Shearer dubbed Reijnders’ latest outing “sensational” as he made life hell for Vitor Pereira’s side.
Tijjani Reijnders in action during Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand admits he did not know Tijjani Reijnders had so much ‘finesse’
Manchester City have a track record of signing excellent midfielders and Reijnders might be yet another example of the club’s recruits being astute at signing the right player.
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Perhaps due to the fanfare surrounding Rayan Cherki’s arrival, who also scored on the weekend, the Dutchman’s move to the Etihad Stadium.
Rio Ferdinand admitted on his YouTube channel that he was surprised by Reijnders’ “finesse” as he brought up the Manchester City star’s dinked pass to Rico Lewis in the lead-up to Haaland’s first goal against Wolves, saying: “Well, I knew Reijnders was a good player but I’ve seen him play for Holland and I’ve seen him play at Milan and I thought, yeah, very good player, really good mover and gets box to box. I didn’t see the pass that he produced for one of them, for the first goal, by the way, for the Lewis cross for Haaland. He just dinked it over the defence. I didn’t know he had that finesse around the box like that.”
“But his ability to move and run and find space from the midfield area, and he was good, really comfortable with the ball. He just looked like he fitted in and slotted in so seamlessly.”
Pep Guardiola says Tijjani Reijnders has added something to Man City they haven’t had for a long time
Judging by the players who the former AC Milan talisman admired, it is easy to see why the Zwolle-born goalscorer is the player he is.
One of them is former Manchester City creator Kevin De Bruyne, who Reijnders admitted he idolises and has tried to emulate over the years, which should explain to Rio Ferdinand why he thrived against Wolves.
Dennis Bergkamp is a player Reijnders looked up to as well alongside fellow Dutch legend Robin van Persie.
Pep Guardiola praised Reijnders’ movement, admitting it is a trait his side have missed for a while: “Tijji gives us something…you miss it, having incredible pace to the box and the talent from [Rayan] Cherki is unbelievable, the small spaces, the creativity, the final third is extraordinary and sometimes in certain games, we’ll need him.”
Guardiola added: “All the new ones [were impressive]. Tijjani was one of the best players in Serie A, he has an unbelievable rhythm.”