Manchester City’s new signing, Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, is counting down the days to his first Premier League appearance. Speaking exclusively to JioHotstar ahead of the 2025-26 season, the Netherlands international shared his excitement about joining the club, his admiration for Pep Guardiola, and his ambitions for the campaign.
Excitement for the Premier League
Reijnders described the Premier League as the pinnacle of football competition. “I’m really looking forward to the Premier League. I can’t wait,” he said, calling his move to City an “easy choice” given the club’s global stature and yearly fight for silverware.
For Reijnders, wearing the Manchester City jersey is more than just a uniform. “It’s a beautiful jersey, and it’s always a proud moment to be able to wear it,” he noted. Playing under Guardiola, he added, is both an honour and a learning opportunity: “He’s one of the best coaches, and it feels nice playing under him, learning new things from him.”
From Backyard Football to Professional Dream
Reijnders traced his football journey back to his childhood, kicking a ball in his garden at age five. By 12 or 13, he realised professional football was within reach. Growing up, he supported Barcelona, inspired by legends Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta, with Ronaldinho being his first footballing hero.
The midfielder has already faced English opposition and knows what awaits him. “It’s much more physical. The game goes quicker here,” he observed.
Reijnders said his transition to City has been smooth. “I found a nice house, my family is happy, and that makes me happy too. Coming into a group like this made it very easy to find my spot.”
Goals for the Season
Looking ahead, Reijnders aims to dominate midfield duels and contribute with goals and assists. On his role as a box-to-box midfielder, he said the true challenges will reveal themselves after a few matches.
Reijnders admires teammate Kevin De Bruyne’s vision, noting how the Belgian constantly scans the pitch. “I try to include that in my game looking around so I know where the space is.”
He believes passing, technique, dribbling, and scoring or assisting are essential for midfield success.
Patience and belief in one’s strengths, Reijnders says, are crucial in professional football. When asked about India, he immediately mentioned its cuisine, particularly spicy dishes like butter chicken and chicken biryani.
Manchester City fans will get their first glimpse of Reijnders in competitive action when the new Premier League season kicks off, as the Dutchman looks to make his mark under Guardiola’s guidance.
