A rocky run of results last season was never going to sit well with Pep Guardiola, but he may have found the key to unlocking the gate to renewed success for Manchester City.
City had been dominating English football consistently for almost five years leading into last season, but it was not the same story in 2024-25.
City were knocked out of the Champions League early last season before a surprise FA Cup final defeat. By then their chances of winning the league were already dead and buried.
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Exiting the Club World Cup in the round of 16 during the European summer again pointed to concern as a squad that will move ahead without Jack Grealish and Kevin de Bruyne struggled to build combinations.
With one Premier League performance that concern disappeared.
Rayan Cherki was the new Man City arrival attracting the hype, but Craig Foster was left in awe by a less heralded signing.
“(Tijjani) Reijnders, oh my god, what a signing,” he told Wide World of Sports.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates with Tijjani Reijnders after scoring their side’s third goal. Getty
The Dutchman had all eyes on him against Wolverhampton on Saturday, playing a key role in the opening two goals for his team before finding the net himself.
“We knew that Guardiola would come back in some way,” Foster said.
“You can’t hold back someone that good. There was no way that he was going to have another average season.
“As good as Rayan Cherki is, I’m not sure everyone realised the impact of Reijnders.
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“In their pre-season games and their opening game, he was absolutely unbelievable and so dominant. He has provided a new input.
“Kevin de Bruyne couldn’t even carry the ball forward that quickly. Bernard Silva doesn’t and nor does Phil Foden. Reijnders has brought a new element… it is a new Manchester City.
“They have really put down a marker and said ‘Listen, we are back’. I know it is only game one but the level of football was unbelievable.”
City were just one of the many teams to impress in week one, with newly promoted Sunderland and Leeds also catching attention.
Both claimed victory to kick off their time in the top-flight in style, an achievement which Foster believes is a good sign for what’s to come this season.
But while those clubs caught the eye of the Australian great, there was one player who did not live up to the expectations that many had of him ahead of the season.
“I was surprised that Wirtz was comparatively poor,” Foster said of the Liverpool star’s debut.
“He was relatively poor compared to what we know he can give. I was really surprised.
“It was good that Liverpool were able to win with him, but it shows how much he still has to give.
“If he is to become as dominant as the likes of a Reijnders … there is a lot from that first week to take away.
“But this is going to be a really fantastic season overall. Tighter at the top and tighter at the bottom.”
