Tijjani Reijnders ready to fill in for Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri after Palermo heroics | OneFootball

Manchester City and Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has stated he will play whatever role is asked of him by Pep Guardiola ahead of the Premier League opener against Wolves.

Reijnders has made a fast start to life in a Manchester City shirt after completing a £46.3 million transfer from AC Milan to the Etihad Stadium this summer, scoring twice and almost netting a second-half hattrick in a 3-0 pre-season friendly win over Palermo on Saturday.

Since the FIFA Club World Cup, the Dutchman has been a breath of fresh air in a Manchester City midfield that was crying out for inspiration last season, when Ballon d’Or winner Rodri succumbed to an ACL injury in September 2024 and spent the majority of the campaign on the sidelines.

Mateo Kovacic is also expected to remain out till October as he recovers from an Achilles surgery, which gives Reijnders the perfect chance to carry his pre-season momentum into the 2025-26 campaign, starting with the Premier League curtain-raiser against Wolves this weekend.

Speaking to Manchester City’s official channels prior to the win in Sicily on Saturday, Reijnders was asked about where he sees himself fit in Pep Guardiola’s midfield as he gears up for his first season at the Etihad Stadium.

“In the Club World Cup, I played three roles in the midfield and I want to be a midfielder who can play in all of those roles,” the new signing said.

“I want to play where the manager wants to me play, I will play and I will do my best of course.

“We’ve worked a lot on ball possession and what we can do against teams who are, for example, in a really low block. Also the reaction of when we lose the ball how quickly can we get it back.”

Reijnders gave his two cents on playing alongside Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who suffered a further fitness setback in the United States following a brief return to action, which could delay the return of what has all the ingredients of a devastating midfield partnership for Guardiola.

“In the Club World Cup, we (Rodri and Reijnders) played some matches together and now in training we have got to know each other a little better,” Reijnders added.

“I can see of course that he has a lot of qualities and that makes it easier for the rest of us midfielders to play alongside him.”

After a man-of-the-match performance off the bench in Italy at the weekend, Reijnders is expected to make his full Premier League debut against Wolves at the Molineux Stadium on Saturday as Guardiola and co get a new season underway.