Why Tijjani Reijnders Could Be Guardiola’s Most Important Signing At Manchester City Since Rodri
When Manchester City’s treble-winning captain Ilkay Gündoğan left for Barcelona in 2023, he left behind more than just medals. He left a tactical void – a No. 8 who knit together City’s phases of play, scored key goals, and led through structure, not sound. When he rejoined the club after his one-year stint at FC Barcelona, he could not replicate his previous exploits and looked a shadow of his former self in an injury-plagued season in general for Man City.
Since then, City have looked for a player who fits that specific mould: a press-resistant carrier, a goal threat, and a connector between Rodri and the forwards. The hunt for a press-resistant, goal-scoring connector has led them to Serie A’s Midfielder of the Season, Tijjani Reijnders.
Let’s be brutally honest: Manchester City don’t just need another midfielder – they need the right No. 8. Since Ilkay Gündoğan’s departure and a failed attempt at rekindling his brilliance upon return, City have lacked a true box-to-box metronome: someone who connects the lines, carries through pressure, and scores when it matters.
Their drop-off this season has been more than just the loss of Rodri, and the arrival of new legs in the middle could be a vital renewal of life for Guardiola’s side.
AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders has now emerged as the prime candidate to take that mantle. In the 2024/25 season, the Dutch midfielder was named Serie A Midfielder of the Season. And it’s not just a title – his numbers and influence show why Pep Guardiola sees a worthy successor to Gündoğan.
| Metric | Gündoğan (2022/23) | Reijnders (2024/25) |
| Matches | 51 | 54 |
| Minutes Played | 3874 | 4591 |
| Goals (xG) | 11 (9.13) | 15 (9.04) |
| Assists (xA) | 6 (5.73) | 4 (4.90) |
| Key Passes | 64 | 65 |
| Interceptions | 33 | 50 |
| Tackles | 47 | 40 |
| Clean Sheets | 12 | 10 |
| Accurate Passes | 2271 (92.2%) | 1957 (90.2%) |
| Yellow/Red Cards | 5 / 0 | 3 / 1 |
| Errors Leading to Goal | 0 | 0 |
These raw stats from Reijnders’ 2024/25 season and arguably Gündoğan’s most consistent season treble-winning 2022/23 season) lay a clear foundation. Reijnders outscored Gündoğan by four goals with similar expected goal values, showing superior finishing output. He matched Gündoğan in key passes and trumped him in interceptions, showcasing a greater defensive read.
But let’s move beyond totals. The positional and tactical breakdown reveals even more.
Tactical Profile: Ball Progression & Carrying
Reijnders’ standout trait in 2024/25 was his progressive carrying. He belonged in the 93rd percentile for progressive carries per 90 minutes, compared to 74th percentile for Gündoğan in the 2022/23 season, which highlights that Reijnders drives with the ball more, offering verticality in transition and during build-up. With three progressive carries and 1.01 successful take-ons (84th percentile) per 90 minutes, he outshines Gündoğan’s exploits in the treble-winning season, where the German international averaged over two progressive carries and 0.8 successful take-ons per 90 minutes.
This is vital for Manchester City, especially against low blocks. Gündoğan excelled in positional play, often breaking lines with third man runs or quick give-and-goes. But Reijnders adds another dimension – he can carry through pressure, attracting markers and creating space behind him.
Passing Structure & Vision
While Gündoğan completed more accurate passes overall in the 2022/23 season (2271), Reijnders’ forward-passing intent in the 2024/25 season (1957) was clear. Reijnders ranked in the 93rd percentile for Forward Pass%, comfortably outranking Gündoğan’s 80th percentile rank. Also, he ranks higher in the forward pass attempted per 90: 56th percentile > 47th percentile.
This points to a more direct approach. He’s not just recycling possession but aiming to break lines regularly. Moreover, when it comes to progressive passes, according to FBREF, Reijnders ranked in the 81st percentile, contributing with an average of 6.40 progressive passes per 90 minutes, similar to Gündoğan’s 79th percentile, showing how much he contributes to field advancement through progressive passes. Gundogan averaged around 6.7 progressive passes per 90 in the treble-winning season, like Reijnders’ current exploits.
Key passes are identical (65 vs. 64), reinforcing that Reijnders isn’t just a ball carrier – he creates as well. Though he trails Gündoğan in assists (4 vs. 6), the expected assists (xA: 4.90 vs. 5.73) indicate a comparable level of creative output. The disparity in assists may be more reflective of finishing around him than his vision.
Defensive Output & Work Rate
Gündoğan, though often underrated defensively, contributed 47 tackles and 33 interceptions, averaging 1.12 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per 90 minutes. Reijnders, however, had 50 interceptions – a significant jump – and 40 tackles, averaging 0.79 tackles and 1.01 interceptions per 90 minutes.
Their success in winning duels tells another story. Gündoğan’s slightly higher rank in the 14th percentile trumps Reijnders’ 9th percentile, indicating the German was more successful in duels. But this may reflect differing roles – Gündoğan often broke up play in more congested zones; Reijnders, in Milan’s setup, relied more on anticipation and positioning.
Nonetheless, the Dutchman’s defensive activity, especially interception numbers, points to strong tactical awareness and pressing intelligence – crucial for Guardiola’s high-line pressing system.
Discipline & Reliability
Both players exhibit clean defensive records. Neither made an error leading to a goal. Gündoğan received 5 yellow cards in 51 matches; Reijnders got 3 in 54, with 1 red. The red card may raise eyebrows, but across nearly 4600 minutes, it’s an outlier, not a concern.
Their discipline and awareness under pressure reflect maturity and tactical understanding – prerequisites for any Guardiola midfielder.
The No. 8 Role: Requirements and Fit
Gündoğan’s role in the 2022/23 treble season was unique. He often played as the left-sided No. 8 in City’s 3-2-2-3 shape. His timing in the box, late arrivals, and clever movement made him a consistent goal threat, especially when Haaland occupied central defenders.
Reijnders fits this mould. His 15 goals from an xG of 9.04 is not just impressive – it mirrors Gündoğan’s efficiency. He’s shown he can find pockets of time to run and shoot from range – a key trait Guardiola demands from his interiors.
Moreover, Reijnders’ superior carrying numbers suggest he offers more thrust from deeper zones. In matches where City need someone to break midfield lines without relying solely on passing, Reijnders becomes a potent weapon.
Mentality and Stamina
Reijnders played 4591 minutes across all competitions in 2024/25 – over 700 minutes more than Gündoğan in 2022/23. This speaks volumes about his durability, consistency, and importance in Milan’s system.
In a Guardiola team that often plays 60 matches a season, availability is a key ability. Reijnders checks that box.
Why Reijnders Is the Answer
Ilkay Gündoğan was the prototype Pep Guardiola needed to build his Manchester City empire. During the Catalan’s early years in England – and especially in the historic 2022/23 treble season – Gündoğan was the silent engine: tactically astute, technically pristine, and surgically timed in his forward runs. He brought balance, control, and goal threat from midfield – an irreplaceable blend. City never truly recovered after his move to Barcelona.
His brief return only confirmed what was already feared: the legs weren’t there; the rhythm was gone. Enter Tijjani Reijnders – more direct, more dynamic, and statistically sharper in several key areas. With unmatched carrying, incisive vertical passing, and defensive anticipation, Reijnders isn’t just a replacement. He’s a progression. He offers Guardiola the complete No. 8 needed to dominate again – domestically and in Europe. If Gündoğan laid the foundation, Reijnders can build the dynasty.
Ready for the Etihad Stage
Tijjani Reijnders doesn’t mirror Ilkay Gündoğan in every aspect, but he might offer more.
Where Gündoğan offered elegance and positional mastery, Reijnders brings drive and dynamism, layered with control. He can fill the No. 8 role with a fresh, aggressive interpretation while maintaining the tactical balance that City thrives on. His goal return from midfield and high-volume carrying complement Guardiola’s evolving tactical structure.
Reijnders doesn’t just resemble Gündoğan; he offers more thrust, more verticality, and greater defensive anticipation. With elite progressive carrying, incisive passing, and an engine built for Guardiola’s 60-game seasons, Reijnders is built to power City’s midfield into a new era. His arrival could rewire Guardiola’s system – not only reigniting domestic dominance but also fortifying a foundation for European glory and long-term supremacy.
In replacing a legend like Gündoğan, Reijnders must carve his own identity. The numbers suggest he’s already on that path. With the right coaching and system, Manchester City may have found their next midfield orchestrator – not a replica of the past, but a blueprint for the future.
This isn’t just a signing. It’s a statement. He could be ‘The Next Engine of a Dynasty’.
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