“I’m not the new De Bruyne” – Manchester City’s £46M Signing Tijjani Reijnders Plays Down Expectations
Manchester City and Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has addressed comparisons to Kevin De Bruyne, insisting that he is carving his own path at the Etihad Stadium. Reijnders joined City in the summer transfer window for £46.5 million from AC Milan following a breakthrough 2024-25 campaign in Italy.
Reijnders was one of seven new signings made as Manchester City underwent a major summer overhaul under new director of football Hugo Viana. The window saw the departures of long-serving stars including De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, James McAtee, Ederson, and Scott Carson, following a trophyless 2024-25 season where City finished third in the Premier League.
The Dutch midfielder made an instant impact at the FIFA Club World Cup and scored on his Premier League debut in a 4-0 away win against Wolves. His early performances prompted comparisons to De Bruyne, Manchester City’s midfield icon over the past decade. However, Reijnders has been clear about his role. “After my Manchester City debut (against Wolves), analysts compared me to Kevin De Bruyne – a huge compliment. But my role, my qualities are different,” he said.
“Manchester City told me from the start and I’ve said it myself many times: I’m not the new De Bruyne. I’m an all-round midfielder but primarily see myself as a number eight. A box-to-box player, between defence and attack. I like to be involved in build-up and final phase. That I often arrive in scoring positions is my biggest strength. Usually, I get at least two good chances per game. I’m not scoring as frequently as I did at Milan yet but I’m getting in the right positions. That’s where it starts. I trust the goals will come again.”
Reijnders has recently regained a spot in Guardiola’s starting XI, aided by key absences in the attacking lineup. The £46.5 million star scored his first goal at the Etihad Stadium in a 3-0 win over West Ham last week, signaling that he is settling into his role as a versatile midfielder for the Blues.
FAQ
Q: How much did Manchester City pay for Tijjani Reijnders?
A: City signed Reijnders for £46.5 million from AC Milan in the summer of 2025.
Q: Is Reijnders being seen as Kevin De Bruyne’s replacement?
A: No, Reijnders has clarified that while he respects the comparison, he is an all-round midfielder and primarily a box-to-box number eight.
Q: How has Reijnders performed so far at Manchester City?
A: He scored on his Premier League debut and recently netted his first goal at the Etihad Stadium in a 3-0 win over West Ham, regaining his place in the starting XI.
Q: What is Reijnders’ main strength?
A: Arriving in scoring positions consistently, participating in both build-up play and finishing phases, and providing versatility across midfield.
Conclusion
While comparisons to Kevin De Bruyne are inevitable, Tijjani Reijnders is focused on developing his own identity at Manchester City. His performances demonstrate that he is settling well into Guardiola’s system and has the tools to influence games from midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively. With his first Etihad goal now under his belt, Reijnders is positioning himself as a key figure in Manchester City’s evolving squad.
