There is a revealing story about Tijjani Reijnders. Barcelona wanted to sign him, but he chose AC Milan instead. In the aftermath of the decision it was said – by Reijnders and others – that he was seduced by the tradition of the Dutch masters in Milan.
There was some truth. Reijnders, an avid student of the game, followed in the footsteps of Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten in the San Siro. But it was not just romance. He had noticed that Barcelona did not have a clear plan for him.
Tactically he wanted to know what the idea was, how they had him in mind that fit into the system. Milan sold that vision more clearly. That story feels relevant when Reijnders is linked to a Premier League movement as part of the rebuilding of Pep Guardiola in Manchester City.
Fortunately for players and club it is clear that Reijnders has qualities that City missed last season. He fits well with his calmness on the ball as a passerby and a ball carrier, but his off-the ball also brings a dynamic that was missing.
In the past two seasons in Italy, Nederlands International, now 26, has strengthened its reputation and recently appointed the midfielder of the year of Serie A. City would be a step higher, but there are people who believe he can help make a difference for Guardiola.
The former defender of Manchester City Michel Vonk coached Reijnders at age group level when he developed his game in Alkmaar at AZ. Speaking with Sky Sports, Vonk talks about a “technical, creative player who can play the most important pass and score goals” – ideal.
“He was a great child to work with, passionate about the game and loves his football. He has a great drive to continue with the ball.” That is something that Guardiola has given priority lately, whereby his midfielders have identified the need to break through the lines.
The signing sessions of Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes and even Nico Gonzalez reflected all of this to a certain extent, with mixed success so far. But Reijnders checks a series of boxes and seems to have a skills that can help him contribute in different ways.
Last season in Milan he achieved the top 20 players in the Serie A for goals scored from open play, opportunities created, fits completed in the last third, dribbles completed and defensive interceptions. The characteristics of a complete midfielder, then.
The latter element, the defensive contribution, is something that Reijkers has worked on since his youth. “His defense was rather a weak point, but he has developed this a lot with playing games for AZ, Milan and Dutch National Team,” Vonk reveals.
In conversation with Pascal Jansen about Reijnders last summer, he explained how the player had to wait for his chance for midfield in AZ. “He had the ability to play like a 10, but he was not there as good as in midfield. He had to be patient,” Jansen told Sky Sports.
In particular, Jansen remembers a conversation in the summer of 2021. Reijners became 23 in July and started setting up in the starting line-up, with more regular after Jansen Arne Slot had replaced halfway through that season.
“He came to me and said,” Coach, I played 50 percent of the minutes, but I need more. ” I told him that the impact he had made at the end of that season had to be the standard for next season.
The departure of Teun Koopmeiners for Atalanta presented a vacancy in midfield and Reijnders filled it impressively. “He never left and looked back. He just went on.” His place in the side was never again. The progress has been constant.
“I have seen him grow. He has improved himself so much, so much. He took the next step and just went on. That surprised many people, but I wasn't because I could see that he was on the way, especially in our European games. He made the difference.
“Once he went inside, he improved himself daily. Only by playing, the confidence of his coach and the team to feel, mature. He had all the tools, but it was when he had the opportunity to show them that he was supplying. He made more impact.
“He was very important in the construction phase. He could feel when he had to come deep to support Jordy Clasie. But he was also able to wear the ball, offer assists and make shots and score goals. He just became very productive.”
In his two full seasons under Jansen, Reijnders scored six goals and then seven respectively. It may seem rough, but the fact that he scored 15 times for Milan in 2024/25 is an indication of a player who adds more and more to his game.
With Kevin De Bruyne Weg, City has to add goals from midfield. Ilkay Gundogan delivered on the last day of the season, but did not really do that enough during his second spell at the club. A midfielder who makes effective late runs in the box would be welcome.
The challenge for next season will be to look ahead or look back. Does Guardiola look at some of the most important principles that the city has become in serial winners or is the position that the Premier League is constantly evolving and he has to adapt to display that?
Reijnders seems to have the right balance. He is a Dutchman who is Afiesta as a younger one and even wears the no 14 shirt that was made famous by Guardiola's mentor Johan Cruyff. He can play the possession play that the city is preferred.
But he can also change things. Guardiola knew that the aging quartet in midfield that City saw on the eight of the season on the line of the season was a solution in the short term. Reijnders could revitalize the city in the middle of the field, the energy that Jansen talks about.
“The nice thing about Tijjani is that he always laughs. You can literally see in his body language when he entertains himself. I was curious how his adjustment phase would go in Milan, but I could see from his body language that he was doing well.
“When he made the switch to Milan, I was able to see the same Tijjani in a different environment, improve himself again. His family always supported him and encouraged him to play at his potential. They pushed him in a good sentence.”
While Jansen talks about the “very stable and calm personality” of Reijnders, Vonk also mentions the “stable family life” that should help him to adapt to the next test. It would be a big step for the player. And perhaps an important step in the direction of building the new City in Manchester.
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