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Tijjani Reijnders not trying to replace Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City’s new signing Tijjani Reijnders insists he isn’t aiming to replace Kevin De Bruyne, despite idolizing the Belgian.

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Reijnders not trying to replace De Bruyne

Reijnders has joined City in a £46.5 million ($63.07m) deal from AC Milan.

Meanwhile, De Bruyne ended his 10-year stay with City to join Seriie A side Napoli.

The Netherlands international said he has emulated parts of his game on the City legend, but insisted that he will try to be his own man.

“I’m not here to replace him [De Bruyne],” said Reijnders at City’s Club World Cup training base in Florida.

“I have to play my own game. But I take things from different players and what they can do really well and try to adapt that. With Kevin De Bruyne, [it was] how he was scanning the pitch, the passes he gave.”

Flourish under Pep Guardiola

Reijnders arrives at the Etihad Stadium with a reputation as the best midfielder in Serie A.

The 26-year-old is hoping he can take his game to the next level under Pep Guardiola.

He will make his debut for City in the Club World Cup against Moroccan side Wydad AC in Philadelphia on June 18.

“That’s also a big thing, of course, the best coach in the world,” he said.

“I am very eager to learn new things here and style of playing and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”