The Fernandinho Conundrum

For all the attacking flair on display last season at the Etihad, there was one man who captured the hearts of City fans for with his relentless work ethic and robotic consistency. Fernandinho may not have received the plaudits his midfield counterparts did last season, but Pep Guardiola was a keen admirer, heaping the Brazilian with praise throughout the season.

When asked if Pep, in his playing days, could have gotten into the side, he stated: "No. Fernandinho is much, much better [than me.]"

Yet this season, the early signs are that City fans’ worst fears may be coming into fruition: a 33-year-old Fernandinho is naturally regressing and the club have no clear replacement.

After being subject to intense criticism from Brazilians due to his poor display in the World Cup quarterfinal against Belgium, it seems Fernandinho has brought his sluggish form into the new season, after he was dominated by the young, bullish midfield of Lyon in the Sky Blues’ Champions League defeat.