Manchester City’s New Signing Tijjani Reijnders Draws Inspiration from Ilkay Gündogan
In a summer of transition for Manchester City, new signing Tijjani Reijnders has revealed that he is looking to emulate the success of Ilkay Gündogan as a goalscoring No 8 for the club. The 26-year-old Dutch midfielder, who joined City from Milan in a deal worth €55m (£46.6m) last week, has been signed by Pep Guardiola to be a dynamic box-to-box midfielder.
According to The Guardian, Reijnders has been impressed by Gündogan’s ability to score goals via late runs into the area, and is looking to replicate this success in his own game. “Gündogan is someone I can learn a lot from,” Reijnders said. “It’s nice to see him nearby and the way he does it.” As reported by The Guardian, Reijnders scored 10 times in 37 Serie A appearances in the past season, a significant increase on his three goals in 36 appearances in the previous campaign.
Reijnders’ impressive form in front of goal has led to him being tipped as a potential key player for City in the upcoming Club World Cup. The tournament, which takes place in the United States, will see City face off against Moroccan side Wydad, Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates, and Juventus in Group G. As The Guardian reported, Reijnders is eager to make an impact in the competition, saying: “We take it very seriously. We want to win every tournament we play. This is nothing different.”
The Dutch midfielder has also spoken about his desire to adapt to life at City, where he will be expected to fill the No 8 role. “The No 8 position is why they [City] got me,” he said. “Now I have to fill the No 8 and do my best to show that I should play.” With the support of his new teammates, Reijnders is confident that he can make a successful transition to life at City.
As The Guardian noted, Reijnders is not the only new face at City this summer, with Rayan Aït-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, and Rayan Cherki also signing for the club. The departure of Kevin De Bruyne has led to speculation that City are in the midst of a fresh start, but Reijnders believes that the core of the team remains intact. “De Bruyne left but the base is still there,” he said. “You see what the standards are in training and outside the pitch. The boys are helping me with it all and it gives me a good feeling.”
Reijnders’ ambition and desire to succeed at City are clear, and he will be looking to make a significant impact in the Club World Cup. With his goalscoring ability and dynamic playing style, the Dutch midfielder has the potential to be a key player for City in the years to come. As The Guardian reported, Reijnders and City will begin their Club World Cup campaign against Wydad at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Field on Wednesday.
In other news, Everton are considering a move for Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, who has emerged as one of four right-back options being considered by the Toffees. The Guardian reported that Walker, who has a year left on his City contract, would cost a nominal fee, and that he is keen to explore the possibility of joining Everton. The 35-year-old veteran has experience and a trophy-winning pedigree that would be an asset to David Moyes’ team, who finished last season strongly.
The potential signing of Walker would be a significant coup for Everton, and would provide a boost to Moyes’ team as they look to build on their strong finish to last season. As The Guardian noted, other options being considered by Everton include Kenny Tete, Vladimir Coufal, and Kyle Walker-Peters, all of whom are free agents.
As the summer transfer window heats up, City and Everton will be looking to make significant signings to strengthen their squads. With Reijnders and Walker both looking to make an impact at their respective clubs, the stage is set for an exciting season of football.
City’s interest in strengthening their squad comes after a relatively quiet summer, with the club looking to build on their success in recent years. The Club World Cup provides an opportunity for City to add another trophy to their collection, and Reijnders will be eager to play a key role in the competition.
Everton, meanwhile, are looking to build on a strong finish to last season, and the potential signing of Walker would be a significant statement of intent. As the season gets underway, all eyes will be on City and Everton as they look to make their mark on the football world.
The Guardian has been at the forefront of reporting on the transfer news and football developments. For more information visit: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jun/16/tijjani-reijnders-draws-inspiration-from-ilkay-gundogan-in-search-for-more-goals-manchester-city-club-world-cup.
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