Reijnders compares role at Milan to new one at Man City: "I don't score as many goals"

Tijjani Reijnders moved from AC Milan to Manchester City for an initial €57m fee rising above €70m. He has played 27 games for Manchester City with nine goal contributions. He has not been a consistent starter under Pep Guardiola and his exact midfield fit remains unclear. Reijnders rejects the 'new De Bruyne' label and emphasises different qualities and a different role. He describes himself as a complete midfielder who primarily operates as a number eight, contributing to build-up play and the final stages. He scored 15 goals at Milan and still finds himself in scoring positions, though goals have been fewer at City.

"It's a great compliment, but I have a different role. After my debut against Wolves, they compared me to Kevin De Bruyne. Obviously, that's a huge compliment, but I have a different role. My qualities are different too. So you reject the comparison? City told me from the start and I've often told myself too: I'm not the new De Bruyne."

"I'm a complete midfielder, but I see myself primarily as a number eight. A box-to-box player who defends and attacks. I like to be involved in the build-up play and the final stages of a move. My greatest quality is finding myself in scoring positions often. I usually have at least two good chances per game. I don't score as many goals as I did at Milan yet, but I find myself in the right positions and everything starts from there."

Read at SempreMilan