Clean slate for Dutch midfielder as new boss runs the rule over squad
Enzo Maresca is prepared to give Tijjani Reijnders a chance to prove himself at Manchester City this summer, despite persistent speculation linking the midfielder with an exit.
Sources have told Football Insider that the new City manager wants to assess the 27-year-old during pre-season before making any final decisions on his future.
Reijnders arrived from AC Milan for £46million last summer but struggled to hold down a regular place in Pep Guardiola's starting eleven. He registered 14 goal contributions in 50 appearances across all competitions, though started only three of the club's final 12 games of the campaign.
That drop-off prompted rumours linking him with Galatasaray, Juventus and Milan. But according to the Transfer Insider podcast, those clubs may have to wait.
“Reijnders has got a big pre-season ahead of him as he tries to impress the new Man City manager,” the podcast noted. “He started really well last season, but then lost his place under Pep Guardiola. It's a clean slate for him and everybody at City under Maresca.”
The Dutch international turned out for the Netherlands at the World Cup recently and caught the eye, despite their round of 16 exit to Morocco.
Maresca faces the considerable task of succeeding Guardiola and is evaluating every senior player in his squad this summer. Reijnders will have the chance to earn a spot before any decision is made.
Jack Grealish, fresh from a loan spell at Everton, is also set to be assessed by Maresca this summer. The 30-year-old impressed at Goodison Park before a serious foot injury in January cut his season short. Everton remain keen on a permanent deal, but Maresca could yet keep him in his plans if pre-season goes well.