Tijjani Reijnders is aware of the expectations that come with joining Manchester City. After transferring from AC Milan, he signed a five-year contract with the club. The initial transfer fee was reportedly 46.5 million. Reijnders will soon participate in the Club World Cup, where Manchester City faces Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday. Following this, his focus will shift to the Premier League.
Reijnders understands the high demands at his new club and recognises the need to contribute to winning trophies under Pep Guardiola's leadership. "City is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and if you play for a club like this, then you have to win prizes," Reijnders stated. He described joining City as an easy decision, emphasising the importance of playing European football.

The pressure on Reijnders is heightened by City's recent lack of silverware. Last season, they finished third in the Premier League and lost the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace. This marked their first season without a major trophy since 2017. In response, City has also signed Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, and backup goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.
Reijnders arrives at Manchester City after an impressive 2024-25 season with AC Milan. He made 52 appearances across all competitions for the Serie A club. Only Christian Pulisic scored more goals than Reijnders' 15 from midfield. Additionally, no player attempted more shots than his 109, indicating his eagerness to score goals.
Reflecting on his time at Milan, Reijnders expressed his desire to continue scoring goals with Manchester City. "That is what I did last season with Milan, being more on the scoresheet," he said. He aims to increase both goals and assists in his new role with the Premier League team.
During his first season at Milan, Reijnders struggled with composure when opportunities arose. Over the summer break, he reviewed footage of himself in goal-scoring situations to improve his calmness in front of goal during his second season.
Reijnders' journey from AC Milan to Manchester City marks a significant step in his career. As he prepares for upcoming challenges, he remains focused on contributing to City's success and fulfilling their trophy-winning ambitions.