The 2025/26 Premier League season is officially underway, and Tijjani Reijnders is brimming with excitement ahead of his much-anticipated debut for Manchester City.
Reijnders, who joined the club from AC Milan in June for approximately £46.3 million on a five-year contract, wasted no time making his presence felt. He gave a glimpse of things to come with an impressive preseason showing, including scoring two goals in a 3‑0 friendly victory over Palermo in the Joan Gamper Trophy, showcasing his impact from the midfield
In his first official outing under the Premier League spotlight, Reijnders was handed a starting spot at Molineux Stadium—one of City’s first-choice midfielders in their season opener against Wolves . And he made the most of it, notching his first Premier League goal just three minutes after Erling Haaland’s opener, doubling City’s lead and underlining his readiness for top-tier football
From Easy Choice to Early Impact
Speaking about why he chose Manchester City, Reijnders admitted it was an “easy choice”—a straight shot to the heights of football, with City’s world-class setup and a chance to learn from Pep Guardiola steering the decision
“You always hear about the Premier League—now to actually play in it, that’s unbelievable,” he remarked, adding, “I’m really looking forward to the pace of the game and the quality of the players. I can’t wait” .
Why Reijnders Could Be the Midfield Linchpin
Reijnders arrives at the Etihad having earned an impressive reputation in Serie A. Not only was he named Serie A Best Midfielder of the Season, but he also secured a place in the Team of the Season, capping off a campaign with 15 goals in 54 appearances P
City’s coaching staff is already impressed. Pep Guardiola hailed Reijnders following City’s 2–0 Club World Cup win over Wydad Casablanca, calling him “really, really good” and praising his presence in the final third
What This Debut Means for City’s Season
- Midfield Reinforcement: With Kevin De Bruyne departed, Reijnders is positioned as a key creative asset for City, delivering both energy and quality in central areas
- Seizing the Moment: Scoring on his first Premier League start instantly endears Reijnders to fans and cements early trust from Guardiola.
- Debut Statement: His performance indicates City’s summer recruitment hit the mark—providing a statement of intent to challenge for silverware.
The Bottom Line
Tijjani Reijnders has wasted no time transitioning from Serie A star to Premier League standout. His seamless integration into City’s squad, capped with a goal on debut, makes it clear: this is just the beginning. The Dutch midfielder isn’t just “counting down” the minutes—he’s already making them count.
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