Reijnders joins Man City: “I’m not here to replace De Bruyne”

Tijjani Reijnders — Manchester City’s new midfielder — emphasizes that he hasn’t come to replace Kevin De Bruyne who recently departed to Napoli after a decade with the club.

The £46.5 million transfer from AC Milan acknowledges De Bruyne and Andres Iniesta as inspirations for his playing style — yet he intends to maintain his own characteristics.

“I’m not here to replace De Bruyne. I have to play my own game. But I take things from different players and try to adapt that — like how De Bruyne was scanning the pitch and the passes he gave,” Reijnders explained.

The 26-year-old arrives at City as Serie A’s best midfielder — and now prepares to develop his abilities under Pep Guardiola, whom he refers to as “the best coach in the world.”

Besides Reijnders, City has also signed left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolves who has played five years in the Premier League. Both new players are included in City’s squad for the Club World Cup.