Tijjani Reijnders' debut season at Manchester City has been a rollercoaster—full of flashes of brilliance, but also plenty of frustration. On paper, the numbers look solid: seven goals and eight assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. Not bad for a first season in English football, right? But for those watching closely, Reijnders has often been a ghost in big moments, drifting in and out of matches and struggling to impose himself on games.

When City signed the Dutch international from AC Milan last summer, the buzz was real. His performances at the FIFA Club World Cup—and a standout Premier League debut against Wolves, where he was superb in a 4-0 win at Molineux—had fans and pundits alike expecting him to walk straight into Pep Guardiola's starting eleven. But the reality has been different. Instead of becoming a key figure, Reijnders has found himself on the fringes, and lately, he's barely been getting minutes at all.

So, what's gone wrong? The Premier League is a different beast, and for Reijnders, the physicality has been a major shock. Coming from Serie A, where the pace is slower and duels are less intense, the jump to England's top flight has been a steep learning curve. Winning those one-on-one battles is essential for any elite midfielder, and it's an area where Reijnders has struggled most. The stats tell the story: he loses too many duels, and that's a weakness opponents have been quick to exploit.

Another issue? Reijnders tends to fade out of games. He can go long stretches without touching the ball or influencing play, which is a problem for a player expected to be a creative hub. He needs to stay involved, demand the ball, and make things happen—especially in a Guardiola system that thrives on constant movement and quick decisions.

But here's the thing: goal-scoring midfielders don't grow on trees. Reijnders has shown he can find the net and create chances, and that kind of production is rare. With a full summer to adjust, improve his physical game, and learn Guardiola's demanding system, there's every reason to believe he'll be a different player next season. Sometimes, patience is the toughest part of the game—but for City, sticking with Reijnders could pay off in a big way.