Tijjani Reijnders was sold by Manchester City to Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah during the summer transfer window. Unfortunately, despite showing early promise, Reijnders didn’t make the impact he’d have liked at City. The Dutch international wasn’t suited to the physicality of the Premier League and he eventually fell out of favour with Pep Guardiola towards the back end of last season. Enzo Maresca did utilise Reijnders during City’s preseason tour of Asia but eventually Reijnders was sold by Manchester City. Tijjani Reijnders has spoken on why he left City during the summer, and in a way his revelations explain why he wasn’t the right fit for Enzo Maresca’s side.

In quotes relayed by FlashScore , Tijjani Reijnders has explained that he didn’t enjoy playing as an attacking midfielder for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. The Dutch midfielder explained that he had a sense that Enzo Maresca was going to use him in a similar role. Reijnders decided to look elsewhere for an opportunity to play in midfield. The opportunity arose to sign for Al Qadsiah for Reijnders, and it was a move he was open to and one that Manchester City ultimately accommodated. Reijnders explained: “ In pre-season, I noticed that things were heading in that direction again at City, and I started thinking about whether ‌I wanted another season like that. ”

“ The honest ​answer was no. I wanted to look elsewhere, and then I heard from the club that I ​was allowed to do so. ”

Also, Tijjani Reijnders explained that the financial package he was offered by Al Qadsiah was too much to turn down. The Dutch international wants to set his family and grandchildren up for life after football which is understandable. He added: “ You can always play the moralist, ​but I think everyone would say yes to that. ”

“ I don’t want to have to work anymore after my career. I didn’t need to after City either. But now I can also set up future generations of my family well .”

“ If this choice means my grandchildren ⁠can also live comfortably, ⁠why wouldn’t I do ‌it? ”

Tijjani Reijnders cannot be begrudged the opportunity to increase his wage and earnings by moving from Manchester City to Al Qadsiah. As Reijnders explained, the opportunity to set his family up for life was too good to turn down. That part of Reijnders’ move to Saudi Arabia is perfectly understandable.

However, the role that Reijnders was going to be asked to play as more of a number ten rather than in midfield is telling. It was one Reijnders wasn’t eager to fulfil once again. It also shows that Enzo Maresca didn’t envision Reijnders being a midfielder. In possession, Reijnders is a quality player, but it is his work out of possession and lack of strength in duels that cost him a role in Manchester City’s midfield. City signed Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, and Ayyoub Bouaddi in the summer. If Reijnders had the physical attributes to make it in the Premier League, Manchester City likely wouldn’t have had to undergo a significant midfield in the summer.