Fernandinho the ultimate defensive midfielder, says Dunne | OneFootball

Richard Dunne and Paul Dickov have hailed the return from injury of Fernandinho as a huge boost for City, with Dunne describing the Brazilian as ‘the ultimate defensive midfielder of our era’.

Our captain made a welcome return to action as a second half substitute in our Champions League win at Olympiakos on Wednesday after being side-lined for a month with a hamstring problem.

Now in his eighth season at the Club, Fernandinho’s impact and contribution in that time has been immense.

His versatility and flexibility has also been vital – not least last season when Ferna superbly stepped into the breach at centre-half following the knee injury suffered by Aymeric Laporte.

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Former City captain Dunne is no doubt as the key role and stature that Fernandinho brings to the side.

Speaking on Wednesday night’s latest edition of We’re Not Really Here, our live matchday show, Dunne declared: “He’s the ultimate defensive midfielder in this era.

“Having him as the organiser is so, so valuable. Even when he plays centre-half, he’s missed in midfield!

WATCH: Fernandinho - The New Captain: Coming soon to CITY+

“He does it brilliantly well and doesn’t look out of place, but you can tell he’s not in the midfield.”

Dunne’s warm words of praise for the Brazilian were echoed by fellow WNRH guest Dickov, who described Ferna as the ‘unsung hero’ of City’s side.

And the former City and Scotland striker said the 35-year-old’s quality, workrate and drive were the very embodiment of the side moulded by Guardiola.

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“Fernandinho has been sorely missed when he’s out,” Dickov asserted.

“He didn’t get the credit that he deserved initially, but he’s the unsung hero of the team really.

“He breaks things up and lets the De Bruynes and Sterlings do what they do

“The last four or five years he’s sat in deep midfield and been one of the best midfielders in the world.”

Don't miss our special Fernandinho - The New Captain documentary which is coming to CITY+ next week.

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