With the Premier League season already reaching the halfway point, it seems a bit early to already to start thinking about player of the 2015/16 season for Manchester City.
However, there is only one player which deserves to win the award and this City’s Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho.
He may not be the obvious choice for City fans, but his role in the City team has been a crucial one; protecting the back four along with chipping in with his fair share in the goals, there is no reason as to why he should not pick up the award.
Ferandinho was an unknown player when he arrived at City back in the summer of 2013 as part of Manuel Pellegrini’s first wave of signings.
His role was clear, a midfielder who would sit back and protect the back four, allowing Yaya Toure to move up the pitch and pose a more attacking threat.
This proved to be a fundamental part to Manchester City winning the league as he was someone who was greatly missed when he was not on the pitch.
The 2015/16 season has been no different to the extent where Fernandinho is being seen as City’s only consistent performing player with the recent run of results.
At the start of the season, he looked fully rested compared to the 2014/15 season where he looked tired, mainly due to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil which seemed to take a lot of energy out of him, despite not starting in all of Brazil’s matches.
Fernandinho and Yaya Toure have made a strong midfield partnership and it is clear that both players have a strong understanding of each other – swapping midfield roles with ease.
Even though Fernandinho is being relied on for his defensive duties, so far this season he has also showcased his attacking threat scoring some brilliant goals.
One of his most notable being the Champions League match at Sevilla where he scored the second in a 3-1 win which proved to be vital in City finishing at the top of their group.
Along with his eight-year spell at Shakhtar Donetsk from 2005 to 2013, he would have plenty of experience in European football and will be a vital asset during City’s last 16 tie with Dynamo Kiev.
With his ability to quickly switch between defensive and attacking duties along with a strong work ethic, there is no reason as to why Fernandinho should not be given the player of the season award now.
For what has been a rollercoaster of a ride for City so far during the 2015/16 season, Fernandinho has been vital to protecting the defence with Kompany’s absence and if it was not for him, City could have lost more matches.
Along with his goal contributions, Fernandinho has cemented his place in the City line-up and has become a fan favourite and should be the player of the season.
