Enzo Maresca is giving Tijjani Reijnders the chance to prove himself this pre-season as doubts persist over the midfielder's future at the Etihad.
The Dutchman arrived from AC Milan last summer for £46 million and showed flashes of quality under Pep Guardiola. Seven goal contributions in 19 league starts isn't a bad return, but after the standards he set at Milan — 16 goals and four assists in all competitions the season before — his first year in Manchester hasn't quite hit the heights many expected.
With Maresca now in charge following Guardiola's decade-long reign, the new head coach is assessing every option in his squad. Reijnders' inconsistent game time has naturally led to questions about whether he stays or goes this summer.
Clubs are circling. According to FootballInsider, Galatasaray, Juventus and AC Milan have all shown interest in the Netherlands international.
Reijnders impressed individually during a World Cup campaign that ended in disappointment for the Dutch — eliminated in the round of 16 by Morocco. He'll be hoping that form carries into pre-season and convinces Maresca he deserves more minutes.
Transfer correspondent Pete O'Rourke summed it up neatly: "Reijnders has got a big pre-season ahead of him as he tries to impress the new Man City manager. He started really well last season but then lost his place under Pep Guardiola."
O'Rourke added: "It's a clean slate for him and everybody at City under Maresca, so Reijnders will be hoping that he can become a regular in the side."
The ability is clearly there. If Maresca can find the right way to use him, Reijnders could yet become an important part of this City side. The Italian seems keen to make that happen.