Enzo Fernández has been handed one of the most recognisable shirt numbers in City history following his £125million move from Chelsea.
The Argentina international will wear No.17, following in the footsteps of Kevin De Bruyne.
De Bruyne wore the number throughout his decade at City after arriving from Wolfsburg in 2015, becoming one of the greatest players in the club’s history before leaving in 2025.
Fernández will now be the man wearing 17 at the Etihad.
Why Fernández chose No.17
There is more behind the choice than simply taking De Bruyne’s old number.
For Fernández, 17 already has some personal significance.
“It’s a number I like,” he told City’s official channels. “It embodies me. It was my first number in the national team, so I’m very happy to choose this number.”
The 25-year-old completed his move from Chelsea on deadline day, signing a five-year contract after City agreed a £125m deal.
That fee equals the British transfer record and inevitably brings huge expectations of its own.
Wearing De Bruyne’s old shirt will add another little layer.
Nobody can expect Fernández simply to become the new De Bruyne – different players, different qualities.
But given what the No.17 shirt came to represent during the Belgian’s remarkable decade at City, seeing Fernández wearing it for the first time will certainly take some getting used to.
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