The Versatility of Fernandinho
“If a team has three Fernandinho’s, they would be champions”- a quote from iconic manager, Pep Guardiola, a true to testament to an under-appreciated midfielder who has adapted impeccably to every role that has been asked of him.
Fernando Luiz Roza, born may 4th 1985, began his career in the harsh reality of the Brazilian first division, bearing the badge of Atlético Paranaense. After three trophyless years, the midfielder took the prevalent path from Brazil to Ukraine and earned himself a move to an Eastern European giant, Shaktar Donetsk.
At the tender age of 20, Fernandinho helped Shaktar to a domestic title, becoming a pivotal member of Ukraine’s second most successful club. Over the proceeding seven seasons the three time English Premier League winner would marshal “Hrinyky’s” engine room and provide both defensive and offensive output, culminating in a personal high of 11 league goals during the 2010/11 season. He helped Shaktar to ten domestic cups and leagues, and most eminently a UEFA Cup (to this day, the only European trophy to Shaktar’s name.) Consistent performances led to interest from top clubs around the continent, the Brazilian eventually signed up to Manchester City’s philosophy and joined Manuel Pellegrini in their search for a second Premier League title.
The third most expensive acquisition of the 2013 English summer transfer window, at the seasoned age of 28, there was an extensive expectation for Fernandinho to compliment Yaya Touré in midfield, and bring Man city further tangible success. Slotting into a two man midfield, most frequently alongside the aforementioned Yaya Touré , the former UEFA Cup winner assumed the role of a deep-lying playmaker. Protecting the back four when necessary while also becoming a creative hub from deep, spraying through balls to his midfield partner and the clinical frontline of Dzeko/Negredo and Aguero. Specifically, Fernandinho created 1.4 chances per 90, ranking 8th amongst all central midfielder’s in the Premier League. This season will forever be remembered by Manchester City fans for Touré’s 20 goal haul, yet it was Fernandinho’s creative genius and defensive output that allowed the Ivorian to achieve such lofty heights. 2013/14 concluded in a domestic double, ending the season two points above runners up Liverpool, while seeing off Sunderland 3–1 at Wembley to win the League Cup.
Heading into the following season as champions, there was an already proposed expectation for the “Citzens”. The League cup champions had an a-typical window, bringing in just over 60 million pounds worth of assets, most notably Eliaquim Mangala, Willy Caballero and fellow Brazilian Fernando. The latter was key in the change of Fernandinho’s role. Pellegrini decided to alternate his faithful 4–4–2 to a 4–2–3–1 operating with two holding defensive midfielders and a front four of Navas, David Silva, Nasri and Aguero, with Yaya Touré being utilised more as an impact substitute. During this season, the former Atlético Paranaense man played the seventh most minutes in Manchester City’s league squad, for a second season he had become imperative to their structure and balance. However, unlike the previous season Fernandinho was not asked to administer creativity from deep, but to purely become a destroyer, and to protect a shaky back line. The 5ft 10 midfielder took on his new role with a substantial amount of equanimity, averaging 6.1 tackles and interceptions per 90. These numbers increased further during the Champions League where Fernandinho averaged an incredible 8.7 tackles and interceptions, with an accuracy of 68%. While the season ultimately ended disappointedly for Manchester City and Fernandinho, the fact that the decorated international was able to diversify his game and adapt immediately to Pellegrini’s formation change and role fluctuation, is testament to his ability and work ethic.
The following season Manchester City recorder their lowest ever finish since 2010, albeit finishing fourth. It saw the sacking of Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini, in turn welcoming the arrival of legendary Spanish coach Pep Guardiola. Fresh of the back of three consecutive Bundesliga titles, Guardiola experimented with a plethora of formations, favouring the same 4–2–3–1 used by Pellegrini during the 2014–15 season. Here Fernandinho operated in the same manner and protected the back four, allowing Yaya Touré to venture forward. Fernandinho played the third most minutes in the City squad that season, highlighting why Pep Guardiola was correct to entrust the dynamic midfielder to function as a defensive destroyer. A quarter final Champions League run was not enough to take away murmurs of disappointment from fans and pundits alike.
Fast forward to 12 months and Manchester City would become the first team in Premier League history to reach 100 points, clinching this feat with a last minute win on the final day of the season. 2017/18 also marked a further modification to Fernandinho’s role. Guardiola decided to deploy him as a midfield metronome, the Brazilian racked up 93 passes per 90 with a remarkable 90% accuracy, 2nd for central midfielders, (bettered only by teammate, Yaya Touré, who played under 250 minutes). This allowed David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne to play as roaming “8’s” and contribute a combined 35 goal contributions between them. 2018/19 saw even more success with the blue side of Manchester securing a historic treble. Fernandinho’s minutes dropped slightly, however the three time Premier League winner was as influential as ever, footing himself in the PFA Premier league team of the season.
While 19/20 has been somewhat of a disappointment for Manchester City, Fernandinho has once again exacerbated his wonderous footballing capabilities. A detrimental injury to key defender Aymeric Laporte and a lack of trust in youngster Eric Garcia, meant the former Shaktar player has had to bolster the defensive line. At 34, a reinvention has taken place once again, an elite ball playing centre back has taken to the field, playing 4.7 long balls per 90 (only bettered by 4 centre backs in the Premier League, Connor Coady, Lewis Dunk, Van Dijk and David Luiz.) It is very plausible that without Fernandinho stepping up to the plate and taking the wheel of City’s broken car, that they may have fallen lower than 2nd, even further away from Liverpool.
The seven years at Manchester City have accentuated the true enormity of his ability. While he may not break records or sell t-shirts, the Copa America winner has been decisive in steering his team to a plethora of domestic awards. Versatile, adaptable and cohesive, setting out in a multitude of different functions and positions is no mean feat, and should be appreciated by fans Premier League followers.
