Fernandinho: Manchester City’s irreplaceable pillar

Thanks to a lacklustre December, Manchester City went from table toppers to chasing Liverpool heading into the new year. Despite their vital 2-1 win in January over the Anfield outift, Man City are still left four points adrift. They did manage to end their title rivals 20-match unbeaten run.

City only lost twice in their record-breaking campaign a year ago. They were defeated on three occasions in December 2018 alone. While the title holders were sunk by a pair of improbable strikes by Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend and Leicester City’s Ricardo Pereira, there was a common denominator in those matches.

Fernandinhos absence

The absence of Fernandinho at the base of midfield was apparent. Pep Guardiola has experimented with Ilkay Gündogan and John Stones as replacements, yet neither player proven to be capable.

Even at 33 years of age, Fernandinho is still a vital cog in Guardiola’s system. He’s also very tough to replace because few players boast his vast array of attributes. The Brazilian can shield the defence, play through the opposition’s high press and maintain control.

In fact, when examining the underlying numbers from last season for Fernandinho alongside Sergio Busquets, another premier deep-lying midfielder, there are striking similarities.

Of course, Ernesto Valverde’s system at Barcelona differs from Guardiola’s. Fernandinho is however just as involved in Man City’s build-up, and is more defensively active.

Gundogan a square peg to Fernandinhos round hole

When Gündogan started against Leicester City, it was almost a reflex for the German international to roam forward. This meant that there was less build-up in Zone Five just in front of the back line. As a result, it was easier for Leicester to win possession in the attacking third.

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