‘Not Here to Replace Him!’ – Tijjani Reijnders Shows Respect for Kevin De Bruyne After £46.5m Man City Move

Reijnders makes his own way after De Bruyne’s exit from Manchester City

When a club legend like Kevin De Bruyne leaves Manchester City, the conversation inevitably turns to who might take his place. The truth is: no one can. And that’s something new signing Tijjani Reijnders seems to understand better than anyone.

Speaking shortly after completing his £46.5 million move from AC Milan to the Etihad, the Dutch midfielder made it crystal clear: “I’m not here to replace him.” It was a line delivered with humility and clarity — a sign that City’s latest recruit knows the scale of the shoes he’s stepping anywhere near.

The End of an Era: De Bruyne Leaves for Napoli

After ten years of magic, brilliance, and game-defining moments, Kevin De Bruyne finally called time on his Manchester City career. The Belgian maestro moved to Napoli in a move that shocked some and saddened many. De Bruyne didn’t just play for City — he shaped a generation of how midfielders are judged. His vision, passing range, and leadership were cornerstones of Pep Guardiola’s dominant machine.

The departure marks a major shift. For a team that’s won everything under Guardiola, including a treble in 2023, it’s hard to imagine City without their midfield heartbeat. And now, into that void, steps Tijjani Reijnders — but not to fill it. Rather, to start something of his own.

A Rising Star from Serie A

Kevin De Bruyne Napoli HIC

Let’s be clear: Tijjani Reijnders didn’t arrive in Manchester as an unknown. He was named best midfielder in Serie A last season, a campaign in which his composure on the ball, intelligent positioning, and crisp passing caught the eye of scouts across Europe. At AC Milan, he quickly became the metronome in midfield, balancing attack and defense with the maturity of someone beyond his years.

At 26, Tijjani Reijnders is arriving at City in his prime. He’s no raw talent waiting to blossom. He’s ready to contribute. But most importantly, he’s ready to learn.

“Of course, it’s a dream to play for City. The best team in the world, with the best coach in the world. But I know this is a different level,” Tijjani Reijnders told club media. “I’m very eager to grow here — to understand the style, to fit into the system. That’s what I’m most looking forward to.”

Not Another De Bruyne – But a Tijjani Reijnders

It’s refreshing to hear a new signing speak with such grounded confidence. In the age of bold statements and flashy unveilings, Tijjani Reijnders’ approach is understated but powerful. He doesn’t pretend to be the next De Bruyne. In fact, he goes out of his way to avoid the comparison.

“I took things from watching Kevin, yes,” he admitted. “How he scanned the pitch, the way he delivered his passes — that was special. But I have to play my own game.”

Instead, Tijjani Reijnders points to another footballing great as his main influence — Andrés Iniesta. The Barcelona legend, known for his grace, intelligence, and touch, shares many of the traits that Tijjani Reijnders hopes to embody in his own way.

“Iniesta was always in control. He never rushed. That’s the kind of player I want to become. Someone who makes others better around him.”

Fitting Into Pep’s Plans

AC Milan v AC Monza – Serie A

One thing that stands out about Reijnders is how naturally he seems to align with Guardiola’s vision. At Milan, he operated in a system that demanded positional discipline and technical excellence. At City, that bar only rises.

There’s reason to believe Reijnders could thrive in Guardiola’s fluid system. His ability to receive under pressure, switch play, and break lines with a single touch makes him a perfect candidate for City’s ever-evolving midfield.

Guardiola himself has often spoken about the importance of players who can “read the rhythm” of a game. That’s exactly what Reijnders brings — not just stats or sprints, but an almost poetic sense of timing and space.

A New Era Begins

With the Club World Cup on the horizon in the United States, Reijnders is expected to make his first appearances in blue sooner rather than later. It will be a gentle introduction to the intensity of English football — but one Guardiola will surely use to assess how quickly his new number 8 can settle.

For fans, the temptation to compare Tijjani Reijnders to De Bruyne will always linger. But it’s unfair — not just to Reijnders, but to the legacy De Bruyne leaves behind. They are different players, different personalities, and different parts of a broader story.

What’s exciting is that Reijnders doesn’t want to be the next anything. He wants to be the first version of himself. That’s the kind of attitude that fans appreciate, and one that has served City’s recruitment model so well in recent years.

A Star for the Future

There’s no doubt that Reijnders has the quality. But what’s just as important is his mentality. He speaks like a player who knows what it takes to succeed at the top level — patience, focus, and the ability to adapt.

In many ways, he represents what modern football demands from midfielders. Gone are the days of just box-to-box or holding roles. Today, midfielders need to do it all — and do it at pace.Tijjani Reijnders has shown he’s capable of that, and under Guardiola’s guidance, his ceiling might be even higher than we think.

City fans may still be reminiscing about De Bruyne’s outside-of-the-boot passes or last-minute assists. But soon enough, they may be cheering something very different: a quiet, composed Dutchman who doesn’t try to fill anyone’s shoes, but who writes his own chapter.

Final Word: Tijjani Reijnders isn’t here to replace Kevin De Bruyne — and that might be the best thing for everyone involved. Football isn’t about cloning greatness. It’s about evolving it. And with Tijjani Reijnders, Manchester City might just have found the next great evolution in their midfield story.