Manchester City set to reward Fernandinho with new contract

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Fernandinho of Manchester City poses with the Premier League Trophy after winning the title during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City at American Express Community Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Fernandinho of Manchester City poses with the Premier League Trophy after winning the title during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City at American Express Community Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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As one of the key fixtures in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side, Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho will be offered a contract extension through 2021, per Mirror.

Fernandinho has been a stalwart in midfield during his time in Manchester. The Brazilian has been thrust into a new role this season as an emergency center-back following the arrival of record signing Rodri from Atlético Madrid and injuries at the back, but remains one of the Blues’ most important players.

Even at 34 years old, Fernandinho remains a key fixture in this side, and manager Pep Guardiola appears ready to reward his former midfield anchor with a one-year contract extension that will last into 2021.

After arriving from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 for £34 million, the Brazilian has gone on to make 279 appearances for the club and scored 23 goals while adding 25 assists from defensive midfield. Fernandinho has undoubtedly had a hugely successful career at City, and the arrival of Guardiola only aided his development into one of the world’s best defensive midfielders at the base of City’s midfield triangle.

Unfortunately, age has caught up to the player, forcing City to search for a replacement before ultimately settling on Rodri to ease Fernandinho’s workload at one of the team’s most demanding positions. Injuries to Aymeric Laporte and John Stones, however, have kept Fernandinho in the side week in and week out to start the season.

It feels as though we did not get to see the Brazilian at the peak of his powers for long enough; he spent the first eight years of his European football career in Ukraine, and although he had been a solid player under Manuel Pellegrini, his box-to-box style has truly flourished in the last three seasons under Guardiola.

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The Catalan manager has afforded some of City’s legends the opportunity to depart the club on their own terms. After last season’s historic domestic treble, club captain Vincent Kompany made the decision to head for the exit door, while David Silva will make 2019-20 his final season in Manchester. With this extension, it appears Fernandinho will also see his loyalty to the club and manager rewarded as he enters the twilight of his career.