Fernando to City - Summer Signing Review #3:

Hello again everyone and welcome to my latest blog post. 

Today, I will be reviewing the summer signing of Brazilian defensive midfielder Fernando - who has just been announced as Manchester City's second summer signing, after the imminent arrival of Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna, currently on international duty with France at the World Cup.

New signing: Fernando has joined City, for a fee of £12million pounds

City, who have won the league title twice in the past three years have been eager to improve on their squad, and bolster their options in strength and depth as they look to win the EPL more comfortably this time around, as well as performing better in the UEFA Champions League - which they have struggled with in recent years.



Fernando, a 26-year-old midfielder from Portuguese club FC Porto has joined City on an undisclosed contract length, with an agreed transfer fee of £12million pounds. 

He was previously linked with a move to Manchester in January, but the deal failed to go through as Porto were reluctant to sell one of their best players mid-way through the season.

This is what Fernando said about the deal:

"I will give my all every time I play and I'm looking forward to many happy years in Manchester, it's a very exciting time to be part of this football club and I cannot wait to play in the Premier League.

I have enjoyed my stay with Porto and I thank the club and the fans for their support during my time in Portugal, but now I am ready for a new chapter in my life; looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and helping City to defend the title."

FACT: Fernando will wear the number 6 shirt for City, previously worn by defender Joleon Lescott who will join West Brom after his contract officially expires today.

Fernando's weaknesses and qualities:

• He is a tough tackler, and is not afraid to get involved with the dirty work in midfield
• He is not the fastest, but is not exactly slow - he can track back for his team-mates to win ball possession 
• His consistent performances in the league last season prompted many teams to take note on how he was a constant threat during matches
• Good ball control but is often fouled by opposition, which could be frustrating on the counter attack
• Not afraid to "take one for the team" - but as a result gets yellow cards regularly, and occasionally a red aswell
• Passing is a strong quality of his, he normally gets over 88% of his passes completed in a match
• Has a commanding figure in the air, regularly winning aerial duels with opponents
• Criticism that he needs to prove himself in a bigger league than the Liga Portuguesa to justify his qualities

Tough tackler: Fernando is a bulky, strong central midfielder who can play at CM and CDM

In conclusion, I think that Fernando has a lot of potential to fulfill in the blue of Manchester - and even though he has not established himself as the best midfielder in the world, who can limit him?

It is a good long-term investment for the price, £12million pounds for a 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder who has proved his worth in the Champions League and Portuguese league in recent seasons; a step-up is needed and that's what he will get at one of the rising clubs in England, and the defending Premier League champions.

City have a lot of midfielders; there is no denying that - however, Fernando could be a good signing for the future aswell as past this upcoming season if he is used well. The majority of City's midfielders are ageing, and with rumours running rampant that their Ivorian powerhouse Yaya Toure could be leaving for a big money-move to PSG, Fernando could settle in quickly and become a bargain. Time will tell.

Toure is reportedly set to join moneybags PSG, could Fernando be an ideal replacement?