Fernandinho: The signing of the season?

First of all, after Javi Garcia’s failure to adapt to the English game and Gareth Barry’s mono-dimensional play, City’s decision to invest in a first-rate box-to-box midfielder will plug a lot of holes from their recently-concluded season. Fernandinho’s statistics suggests he has an average successful tackle rate of 3.5 tackles a game, which provides them with more defensive steel in front of the back four, which performed less than convincingly last season.

Fernandinho and Navas to combine to deadly effect

Second, Fernandinho’s style of play sees him attempt a long ball often (four times successfully on average), a tactic exploited by Shakthar’s speedy forward line comprising of Willian, Mkhitaryan and Adriano. This helps stretch play on the wings, allowing him to make those typical late runs into the box to vie for a cut back, lay off or a cross. City’s decision to invest in Jesus Navas is well thought of considering this part of Fernandinho’s game as the fleet footed winger, along with Sergio Aguero, will readily chase down his long passes and wait for him to make the late runs.

Third, his inclusion in the side will allow City’s most vital element, who goes by the name of Yaya Toure, to function more freely. Javi Garcia’s lack of form forced Toure to play deeper, which ended up disrupting their style of play that had worked brilliantly in their title-winning season. With Fernandinho in the side, Yaya Toure can concentrate on linking with the front line instead of worrying about his defensive duties.

Fourth, Fernandinho’s motivation level itself is unquestionable as he looks to cement his place in the Brazilian side for the 2014 World Cup. Fernandinho himself said the Brazilian team does not hold the Ukrainian League in high regard, which forced him to move to a top league in a bid to leave his mark. Considering Brazil have strong, in-form contenders to choose from in the defensive midfielder’s spots (Paulinho, Ramires, Fernando, Hernanes and Luiz Gustavo), Fernandinho will be immensely motivated to try and prove a point to the national team selectors. So determined was his desire to move to a top league, that Fernandinho waived off the 4 million GBP that Shakhtar owed him in a bid to accelerate his move to the Premier League.

So considering all the factors at work, it looks like Fernandinho will be one of the key buys, if not the one of the smartest buys of the season. The motivation is there, so is the work ethic, and all that points towards a stronger challenge by Manchester City for the Premier League.