Manchester City made their second foray into the summer transfer market a couple of weeks ago by signing the defensive midfielder Fernando from FC Porto. Having failed with a bid back in January, the Premier League champions returned with an improved offer and finally captured the 26-year-old in a deal believed to be in the region of £12m:
Speaking to the club’s official website upon completion of the move, the Brazilian was clearly delighted with his switch to the English top-flight, as Manuel Pellegrini attempts to win the title for the second successive season at the helm:
“I am so happy to finally be joining Manchester City. I’m looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and helping City to defend the title. It is a very exciting time to be part of this football club and I cannot wait to play in the Premier League. City fans can be assured I will give my all every time I play and I’m looking forward to many happy years in Manchester. I have enjoyed my stay with Porto and I thank the club and the fans for their support during my time in Portugal. Now I am ready for a new chapter in my career.”
The History
Fernando’s career kicked off in his native country with Vila Nova back in 2005. A couple of years later, having scored three times in 57 appearances for the Brazilian third division outfit, he was snapped up by Porto on a five-year contract. Loaned out to Estrela Amadora in his first season in Portuguese football, he netted once in 27 matches before returning to his parent club in time for the start of the 2008-09 campaign.
Nailed-on in the centre of the park, Fernando has been a key figure in a run which has seen his side win four league titles, two Portuguese cups, five Portuguese Super Cups and a Europa League title over the subsequent six seasons. At Porto, a total of 232 appearances over all competitions harvested five goals and nine assists for a player who is no stranger to incurring the referee’s wrath – over the course of his career, the 26-year-old has picked up 71 bookings and been dismissed on six occasions.
The Prospects
Nicknamed “The Octopus” due to his tireless running in the middle of the park, Fernando’s signing is a sensible one from Pellegrini. Last season’s acquisition of Fernandinho proved a masterstroke and laid the foundations for Yaya Toure’s best ever year in the top-flight – with the Brazilian situated in front of the back-four, Toure was afforded greater attacking freedom and served up 20 goals in City’s title-winning campaign.
It was noticeable last term, however, that City had no viable alternative for Fernandinho in the centre of the park. Indeed, in the five games he failed to feature, Pellegrini’s side drew blanks on four occasions (against Stoke, Sunderland, Chelsea and Norwich) as their swashbuckling ways were somewhat limited by the Brazilian’s absence, with Toure taking up a more defensive role as a result.
Fernando should offer City a like-for-like alternative to Fernandinho, then, and as Pellegrini look to overhaul the central midfield area, question marks will surely grow over the futures of players such as Jack Rodwell, James Milner and Javi Garcia, with Gareth Barry already leaving for Everton. Bearing in mind City scored in every game with Fernandinho in the side, his contribution – whilst failing to catch Fantasy managers’ eyes – was vital in affording Pellegrini’s attack-minded players the freedom to flourish.
If, as expected, the City boss continues with the 4-4-2 formation that harvested 102 goals in 2013/14, Fernando’s arrival merely strengthens the champions’ options. A lack of attacking potential means few will look to bring him on board but, as Fernandinho showed last term, the knock-on effect bodes well for the likes of Toure, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko further up the park.
