Following his move to the Etihad Stadium from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2013, Fernandinho has been one of the most efficient players for Manchester City for quite a few seasons now.
The Brazil international’s stupendous work-rate and commendable resilience have protected his side’s defensive line and further, he releases the ball quickly and accurately to ignite attacking endeavours on a regular basis.
However, Manchester City have struggled in his absence as they lack a genuine cover for Fernandinho. Besides, the midfielder is set to turn 34 this May and Pep Guardiola’s side do need a long-term replacement for him.
Here are three players who Manchester City should consider this summer to replace Fernandinho with.
#1 Tanguy Ndombele
Lyon’s box-to-box midfielder Tanguy Ndombele would be a smashing grab for the Cityzens. Ndombele is renowned for his tenacity in the middle of the pitch and his strong physicality enables him to cushion his side’s backline.
He wins possession frequently for his side and reads the game brilliantly. The 22-year-old would seamlessly adjust himself under the tactical nous of Guardiola as he is an astute passer of the ball and brings physicality in the midfield which will hold in good stead in the Premier League.
Ndombele has featured 23 times in Ligue 1 this term and he averages 2 tackles per game. Besides, he also has 4 assists to his name and has churned a healthy pass completion rate of 88.7%.
#2 Idrissa Gueye
Signed from Aston Villa by Everton in the summer transfer window of 2016, Idrissa Gueye has undoubtedly been an instrumental player for the Toffees ever since his arrival at the Goodison Park.
The Senegalese international holds the ball really well and has the calibre to dictate the tempo of the game. He distributes the ball with a lot of precision and his defensive contributions for Everton have been exemplary.
Gueye tackles well and adds steel to his side’s setup. After 23 outings in the Premier League, he averages 4.3 tackles, 2.2 interceptions and 1.3 clearances per game which are healthy figures especially playing for a team who have not been at their best this season.
#3 Rodrigo Bentancur
Juventus’ blossoming midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is one of the hottest properties in the game. Despite being a 21-year-old, he has emerged as a technically strong player. He is a tough tackler and his urgency on the ball is something that sets him apart.
Versatility is one of his strongest assets as he is capable of plying his trade anywhere in the midfield region. However, he has to be a lot more disciplined as he commits unnecessary fouls and his temper is something which needs to match his ball control.
Bentancur has bagged 21 Serie A appearances for the Old Lady this season, scoring 2 goals and registering 1 assist. Further, he averages 2.1 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, and 1.1 clearances and has flourished for the Italian giants.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored
