Player Focus: Unheralded Fernandinho Crucial to City's Flying Start

In the wake of Brazil’s disastrous World Cup exit, succumbing to a 7-1 defeat to eventual winners Germany at the semi-final stage, a number of the Seleção’s performers struggled to readjust to domestic football. The likes of Paulinho, Ramires and Willian were unable to hit the heights of the previous season over the months that followed Brazil 2014, a lasting effect of the catastrophic loss to the now World Champions. 

Fernandinho was another of those whose form dipped significantly following the World Cup. Between August and January, the midfielder’s WhoScored rating was just 6.98, although that improved in the New Year, with his rating reaching 7.38 thereafter. Nevertheless, the 2014/15 campaign was a less than memorable one for the 30-year-old. Having made an immediate impact in his debut season, Fernandinho struggled to replicate his fine form in the Manchester City midfield as the former champions failed to defend their Premier League crown. 

However, six games into the new season and the Citizens sit pretty atop the Premier League. 15 points from a possible 18 has lifted Manuel Pellegrini’s side to the summit of England’s top tier and while they fell to defeat to West Ham last time out, the general consensus is this is merely a stumble rather than a heavy fall. Such a fine start to the season has seen them dubbed strong title favourites and for good reason. The summer acquisitions have bolstered the squad effectively, with many now of the opinion that if City didn't already boast the strongest squad in the Premier League, they certainly do now. 

At the time of writing, City possess no fewer than three players in WhoScored’s Premier League team of the season, a better representation than any other side. Of course, the central midfield berths are currently occupied by key duo David Silva and Yaya Touré. The pairing have performed above and beyond in the opening weeks of the campaign, but it’s the restored defensive solidity provided by Fernandinho that has helped both players flourish. 

His starting spot came under pressure over the summer when City secured the services of Fabian Delph, but respective hamstring problems have limited the Englishman’s influence in the side, as such restricting him to just 17 minutes of league action for his new team. Fernando’s groin problems meant Fernandinho partnered Touré from the get go this season and he most certainly has not disappointed. 

A WhoScored rating of 7.60 ranks among the top 10 performers in the Premier League this season of players to make at least 3 appearances. That figure is his personal best since signing for City in 2013 and highlights what has certainly been a return to his best form after an underwhelming campaign. An average of 3.5 tackles per game is better than any City player, matching his statistically calculated WhoScored style of play of ‘likes to tackle’. 

The number of tackles he makes per league match is also his highest in England’s top tier since signing, with the set role benefitting both he and the club. Any good holding midfielder must not only be effective at regaining possession, but recycling the ball as well. Indeed, Fernandinho does this to great effect. Only Santi Cazorla (471) has played more accurate passes than the Brazil international (393) in the Premier League this season. Meanwhile, a pass success rate of 90.8% ranks behind only Morgan Schneiderlin (91.1%) of central midfielders to make at least 3 league starts this term. 

As such, he’s required to shift the ball to one of Touré or the marauding Aleksandar Kolarov in City’s quest to put the ball in the back of the net. It’s his covering for the latter in particular that has enabled him to start the season so well. Kolarov is a left-back who looks to get forward at any given opportunity to provide a further attacking outlet for his side. With summer arrival Raheem Sterling often cutting inside from the left to go for goal, this opens up space on the left side of the pitch in the final third, adding another dimension to City’s attack. 

The Serb needs someone to cover for him when he does break forward, with this perhaps one of Fernandinho’s primary tasks in the defensive and midfield third. Ill-discipline is perhaps a concern - only Alexander Tettey (5) has received more yellow cards than Fernandinho (3) in the Premier League this season - but this is to be expected given his position and role within the team. Ball winning midfielders are more likely to land themselves in hot water with referees given the task at hand, but given his early-season form; the player is unlikely to alter his approach at the risk of becoming less influential in the middle of the park. 

Defensively he has excelled, but he has also provided a further attacking outlet from deep. 10 league goals for City is an impressive return for a holding midfielder, with the Brazilian’s thunderous right foot capable of testing any goalkeeper in world football. His strike in the 3-0 win over Chelsea - a match he won the WhoScored man of the match award in - last month is testament to this, while he came perilously close to netting from distance in recent defeats to Juventus and West Ham. Given City’s relative dominance over teams - only Arsenal (58.6%) are averaging more possession (57.2%) in the Premier League this term - it’s no wonder he presses forward to support the offensive, with his tenacity in the middle of the park helping the Citizens create chances in the opposition half. 

During his time with Shakhtar Donetsk, Fernandinho was widely considered one of the finest central midfielders outside of Europe’s top 5 leagues, so a move to one of the continent’s biggest teams at the time came as little shock. Last season may have been a blip on the record, but Fernandinho is once again proving his worth as one of the most effective, yet arguably underrated, cogs in the rampant City machine.

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