Though one of the best holding midfielders in the world, the Brazilian has been outstanding in central defence this season and was the man-of-the-match against Chelsea.
The City boss has now said that, as long as Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan are fit, Ferna will operate in defence going forward.
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“Since I arrived here, I was looking for a holding midfielder and Fernandinho was good because we won. If we lost, it would be because he’d had a bad game,” said Pep.
“That is how important he is for us. He has done so well in defence.
“At Anfield he was our best central defender and against Chelsea he was so good again – he plays so fast and has the quality to play from the back and he is aggressive when he needs to be and moves, the ball quickly and play in tight spaces.
“He is a clever player and if Rodri and Gundogan are fit, I don’t think Ferna will play in the holding role – he will go back to defence because I really like him in that position.”
