The £125m Man Settles In
Enzo Fernandez has his first Manchester City goal. The British-record £125m signing found the net in Sunday's 5-3 win over Sunderland, and the manner of it was pure instinct. From a position where almost everyone inside the Etihad expected a cross, Fernandez caught Robin Roefs out with a clever free-kick that left the goalkeeper grasping at air.
It was the sort of moment that explains why City paid what they did.
Maresca's Quiet Confidence
Enzo Maresca wasn't surprised. Asked about Fernandez's impact, the City manager kept it simple.
"I know Enzo. I know how good he is. I know how he wants to win games."
That familiarity runs deep, and it shows. Maresca was also asked whether he expected City supporters to take to Fernandez so quickly. His answer was immediate: "Yes, to be honest."
The fans have responded. Fernandez already has his own song, and the early scepticism that greeted his arrival has faded with each passing week.
From Taunts to Tunes
It hasn't all been smooth. Coventry supporters taunted Fernandez on his debut earlier this month, and The Independent suggested that might be a taste of what awaits him at away grounds. That's the reality of a £125m price tag in English football.
But Fernandez has answered on the pitch. He's started City's last three Premier League matches, and The Athletic reports he's already made a good impression around the club. The extra work is there too — staying behind after training to practise free-kicks, which paid off against Sunderland.
For a player who arrived with a record fee and plenty of noise, Fernandez is letting his football do the talking.