Fernandinho Is Txiki Begiristain's Great Manchester City Signing
Prior to this summer, which was a success in the eyes of most Manchester City supporters, Txiki Begiristain’s record as sporting director was being seriously questioned.
Having taken the role in October 2012 in a blaze of publicity, things hadn’t gone quite as planned. The man who signed Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry and David Villa during his time at Barcelona had failed to secure the same calibre of player in his role at the Etihad Stadium.
His record could be best described as hit-and-miss. Eliaquim Mangala will perhaps always be the symbol of his profligacy, a player who cost a vast sum but ultimately proved flawed.
Mangala had the physical requirements, which is what Begiristain is likely to have been impressed with when he watched him during his days at FC Porto, but his inability to read the game meant he couldn't find consistency in the Premier League. He joined Valencia on a season-long loan in the summer.
However, the signing of Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 was a masterstroke. He cost £30 million, a fee many saw as inflated for a player without experience in one of Europe’s top leagues. But the consistency he has shown since making the switch has rendered the fee inconsequential. The Brazilian, now 31, has delivered spectacularly and appears to be getting better with age.
His first season was an unequivocal success. Manuel Pellegrini brought a feeling of calm to a club that had been plagued by turbulence for too long and the result was one of the finest campaigns in the club’s long history.
City won their first league-and-cup double, scoring a remarkable 156 goals in all competitions. It involved a 20-game unbeaten run that saw City win 18, including big victories against Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City. Some of the football they played was outstanding.
Fernandinho was key to much of it. His presence in City’s midfield brought the dynamism, determination and running power they had long needed. He revolutionised the team’s play and allowed Yaya Toure, arguably the most important player in their squad, the freedom to get forward more regularly than he had in the past.
Toure, so confident in his partner’s ability to cover ground and stop the opposition, scored 24 goals in all competitions in one of the most remarkable seasons an individual player has had in English football.
However, a disastrous World Cup campaign in his home nation that summer affected Fernandinho. Brazil were beaten 7-1 by Germany in the semi-final; they were 5-0 down at half time after conceding four goals in a six-minute spell.
Fernandinho was dispossessed by Toni Kroos in the buildup to the fourth and was eventually hooked. It was embarrassing for every Brazilian player involved, but the City man appeared to take the brunt of the criticism.
“It was probably the lowest point of every single one of the Brazilian players involved, and I don’t think I exaggerate when I say we will probably have to answer questions about that game for the rest of our lives. We will need to learn to live with that,” he told the Observer in December that year.
He returned to City suffering a crisis in confidence, and for the first few months of the campaign struggled to replicate his form of the previous season. He steadily improved, though, and by the end of the season—which had seen City surrender their title in weak fashion to Chelsea—he was one of the best players in the side.
Last season he was undoubtedly the most consistent City player, his drive and energy their most valuable asset. With Toure a fading force, Fernandinho’s remit has gradually increased—and so has his influence. He’s a vital component, a player who rarely, if ever, lets them down.
Perhaps his finest hour was the spectacular display he delivered in Sevilla last November, as City won 3-1 in their most impressive Champions League performance to date. Fernandinho gave a world-class display. The stamina and quality he showed was remarkable, and on a night when every City player impressed, he still managed to stand above the rest and take the majority of the accolades.
He flew out of the blocks, swarming Sevilla’s midfield and driving City on to the front foot, scoring their second after 10 minutes and then helping control proceedings thereafter. It was a special performance.
".@MCFC's @fernandinho aims to make his birthday at the Bernabéu one to remember! #RealvCity #UCL https://t.co/UpBUqbuJgD
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) May 4, 2016"
With Pep Guardiola in charge, he’s finding an even higher level this season. The new City manager immediately identified him an important player, when he said in pre-season: “I think Fernandinho can play in 10 positions. He has the quality to play wherever. He's a quick, fast player, so intelligent, aggressive and strong in the air.” He's been the Catalan manager's most trusted player.
He’s used him in a position just in front of the back four, helping to create the solidity needed to allow David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne the freedom to roam just in front of him. It’s a role he’s excelling in, and even the availability of Ilkay Gundogan—Guardiola’s first City signing—hasn’t seen his job description altered to make way for the German. Fernandinho is the team’s No. 1 defensive midfielder.
“I’m enjoying my football,” the Brazilian said recently. “I’ve grown up as a player, and over the last few years we’ve had good seasons especially last season in the Champions League when we got to the semi-final, but this year we have started well and we have every chance to be better, especially if we play as a team.”
City are unbeaten in their first 11 matches under Guardiola, with Wednesday’s 3-3 draw with Celtic their only blip in an otherwise-perfect start. It’s led to them being installed as favourites for the title, with many believing they are now in a position to challenge for the Champions League, too.
“We work to win trophies, but it’s too early to say if we are going to be champions or not,” Fernandinho said. “Our target is just to win the next game. We are working every day in the training sessions and taking each game step by step. We can’t start to think what will happen in April and May, we just need to think about what will happen in the next match.”
Begiristain’s transfer record at City is patchy—but one name stands above the others as being a shrewd acquisition. Fernandinho has been a hugely successful signing who continues to improve, and the £30 million fee, which appeared large at the time, has been handsomely repaid.
De Bruyne is likely to go on and become the jewel in Begiristain's crown—but for now, Fernandinho represents his finest acquisition.
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and follows the club from a Manchester base. All quotes and information were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.
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