Man City debate rages over Reijnders: Will summer signing come good or is it already too late?

Manchester City summer signing Tijjani Reijnders is dividing opinion at the moment, with some fans convinced he’ll come good even if it takes until next season – but others believing there should be greater cause for alarm already.

Reijnders arrived at Man City from AC Milan in the summer after standing out in an underwhelming Rossoneri side last season. An all-action midfielder, he has shown the ability to play in various roles before, but has struggled to make any his own so far for City despite some early promising signs.

Pep Guardiola gave Reijnders his first league start in over a month on Saturday for the win over Leeds United. However, some fans are unconvinced he deserves to be getting more chances.

Commenters on the Man City Reddit channel have been debating if Reijnders needs to raise his game – and the responses show just how much the judgement of him varies at the moment.

Among the more concerned posters, there were comments such as: “I see no hope from him. As a midfielder: add 0 pressure on oppo; take too much shots while so bad at it (reminds me of Cancelo, both worst conversion from shot to goal); provide 0 support to DM. I would really hope never see him play ever again.”

And: “He needs to realize he has to go for the risky forward passes or else Cherki will replace him on the spot.”

But others are of the belief that, like many City players in the Guardiola era, it will take time for Reijnders to get to grips with their system.

One wrote: “He’s the quintessential “Second Season Will Come Good” Pep signing. How many other players have we signed where in the first season they were questionable, answer, loads. Impact signings at City are an exception rather than a rule ie Haaland, and rule is generally second season will come good, ie Bernie Silva, Rodri, Nico G among others. So, I’m not worried about him, give him time.”

That may be true, but some don’t think Reijnders deserves that amount of patience given his age and reputation.

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Reijnders ‘wasn’t signed to be a project’

One post added: “This is a 27 year old full international who won midfielder of the year in Italy. He wasn’t signed to be a project, he was signed to be a plug-and-play guy who could deliver instantly. Idk why we’re reneging on expectations just cos he’s been underwhelming. We can just admit he needs to improve.”

The key to unlocking Reijnders’ potential? Getting Rodri back as the base of City’s midfield seemed to be a common point of agreement.

One user wrote: “He would’ve fit so well in a Rodri-backed midfield, looks like a player who shows his best when in a stable team. The season hasn’t started for me till Rodri is back.”

But another predicted that Rodri’s return could spell the end for Reijnders’ starting chances, suggesting: “When Rodri is back healthy, if Pep decides to field Nico G and Rodri at the same time, I can see Tiji getting less minutes, and replaced by Cherki. He may just come on later in games as a sub.”

Reijnders signed a contract until 2030 when he joined City and isn’t fighting for his future at the club just yet, but will need to recapture some of his Milan form to keep his place in the team.

For now, the jury is out.

Latest Man City transfer news

Meanwhile, Man City are reportedly prepared to make a statement move in the January transfer window for one of the Premier League’s most in-demand forwards: Antoine Semenyo.

There are also reports of their interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

In terms of departures, Bernardo Silva will make a decision on his future in 2026, with six clubs chasing the midfielder.