Tijjani Reijnders sets FIFA Club World Cup challenge for Manchester City squad | OneFootball

Manchester City’s new midfield signing Tijjani Reijnders has cited the FIFA Club World Cup as a key reason for his quick adaptation to life in a sky blue jersey.

The 26-year-old Netherlands international joined forces with Pep Guardiola earlier this month after arriving from AC Milan for an initial £46.5 million, with Manchester City planning for life beyond the departed Kevin De Bruyne.

Reijnders was registered in time for the ongoing Club World Cup campaign and alongside fellow new arrivals Marcus Bettinelli, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki, the midfielder received the call-up from Guardiola for the tournament in the United States.

The Dutchman was thrown straight into the mix in Manchester City’s opening group-stage clash against Wydad AC, starring and receiving huge plaudits for his eye-catching performance in the middle of the park on his full debut.

“The first few weeks have been very good. I got a good welcome in the squad. Everybody’s helping me when I need it and I have a good feeling,” Reijnders said in an interview with the club’s official media channels.

“Being out here together in America has made it easier because directly I am there 24/7 with the guys. So yeah, we’ll get to know the boys better.

“When you start the tournament with the pool stage, you always want to end on top and that’s our goal as well.”

Guardiola made 11 changes to his starting XI from Wydad AC for the 6-0 thrashing of Al Ain on Sunday, with Reijnders moved to the bench – but the new signing could be back in the lineup in City’s final group-stage game against Juventus in Florida on Thursday.

Reijnders added: “For tomorrow (vs Juventus), we want to win the game and finish first in the group. And from there on we will see what will be facing the rest of the tournament.

“It’s a big prize so now we are really excited for tomorrow and for the next round. And yeah, we are here with one goal and this winning this tournament (Club World Cup).

“We expect a lot from ourselves and that’s what we want to now show in the next games. On a personal level, of course, it was a special moment to make my debut for Manchester City (vs Wydad AC) and I was happy that that it went well.

“I want to show even more of course, but I was happy with this start. We had two pretty good games, but we know we can give more. And yeah, that’s on us now, especially against Juventus.

“It (Juventus) is a bigger team with all the respect to the other two. But now we have to show what qualities we have and also you also have to grow in a tournament.”