The way to get the best out of a Dutch international for Manchester City stood out against Newcastle | OneFootball

The first season for Tijjani Reijnders at Manchester City has seen flashes of quality from the Dutch midfielder, interspersed with moments of frustration. Reijnders looks to be a player who will show his best at City in his second season. He has endured a steep learning curve playing under Pep Guardiola, as many of Manchester City’s new signings in the past and in more recent times have gone through. Against Newcastle, in Manchester City’s 3-1 win at the Etihad on Wednesday, Reijnders was at his best as he put in a superb performance. Reijnders’ performance and the way Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi-final tie was played showed the circumstances that bring out the best in the midfielder.

With space to operate in, Tijjani Reijnders was superb for Manchester City against Newcastle.

The way Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle played out, played into the strengths of Tijjani Reijnders as a player. Eddie Howe’s side attempted to press City deep in their own half in the first half. That approach was naive by Newcastle, and it allowed Reijnders and his teammates the space to tear the Carabao Cup holders to shreds. City took full advantage of the space they were afforded to take a 3-0 lead after 32 minutes, and Tijjani Reijnders was at the heart of City’s dominance.

The Dutch international played a key role in Manchester City’s opening goal. It was Reijnders’ link-up with Marmoush that set the Egyptian international free. After a Marmoush backheel, Reijnders slipped Marmoush in with a clever ball. The rest is history as fortune favored Marmoush when Dan Burn’s clearance hit him and went in. Reijnders played a quality ball to play in the Egyptian international, showing a glimpse of what he adds to Manchester City’s attacking play.

Tijjani Reijnders also set up and finished the move for Manchester City’s third goal. Reijnders was pressured by Newcastle but his superb turn and run set him on his way. It was Reijnders who found Antoine Semenyo in space and although Dan Burn got in a desperate foot to take the ball off of Semenyo’s foot as he was about to shoot, the ball fell to Reijnders who beat Aaron Ramsdale in the Newcastle goal with ease to give City a 3-nil lead. It was a superb piece of play by Reijnders and showed what he adds to City’s play when he is at his best.

The challenge for Reijnders is play at the same level when the game becomes tight and contested.

Tijjani Reijnders put in arguably his best performance for Manchester City against Newcastle. The way the game was played suited Reijnders, and he took full advantage of this. Reijnders’ style of play showed when he is at his most dangerous. The challenge for the Dutch international is to play at the same level when he isn’t afforded the space to operate in or when the game isn’t as open as it was against Newcastle.

A criticism of Tijjani Reijnders as a player is that he doesn’t thrive in the physical side of the game. Reijnders’ work in duels needs to improve. That was known when City signed him from AC Milan. He also drifts in and out of games. That side of his game needs work. But I expect all that to improve for Reijnders after his first season at Manchester City. Also, it would be great to see Reijnders play as he did against Newcastle in games where City’s opponents aren’t as naive or desperate for a goal. I also feel that will come in time for the Dutch international.

Tijjani Reijnders put in one of his best displays for Manchester City against Newcastle. The way the game played out it was set up for Reijnders to dominate. He did exactly that at the Etihad. The challenge for Reijnders is to put in those types of performances on a regular basis when game’s aren’t suited to his strengths. If the Dutch international does that, he’ll quickly establish himself as a key player for Pep Guardiola’s side.