Man City have four difference-makers in Premier League title race as Pep Guardiola sent Rayan Cherki demand

Manchester City have four players who could make a crucial difference in the Premier League title race, and new signing Tijjani Reijnders is one of them, according to a club legend.

The Sky Blues begin their quest to regain the top-flight crown in Saturday evening's opening battle with Wolverhampton Wanderers, where Reijnders ought to be in line for his Premier League debut after shining in pre-season.

City played just the one warm-up game owing to their Club World Cup exploits, but Reijnders stole the show, netting twice in a 3-0 victory over Italian outfit Palermo after Erling Haaland had opened the scoring.

The former AC Milan midfielder also made three appearances for the Citizens at the Club World Cup, and speaking to Sports Mole, ex-City stalwart Richard Dunne name-checked Reijnders as a player who could give Pep Guardiola's team the extra edge.

Asked if any of the Citizens' new signings stood out as potential difference-makers, Dunne replied: “I think Reijnders will be a really good signing.

Man City's four players who could make title difference amid Rayan Cherki warning

"They probably lacked a bit of legs in central midfield last year. He certainly looks like that type of player; I think he will definitely add to them."

Reijnders will help to add some of the lost creativity from Kevin De Bruyne's departure - as will Rayan Cherki - although Dunne can also envisage a few members of Guardiola's current crop potentially making crucial contributions in the title race.

The former Republic of Ireland defender expects Phil Foden, Omar Marmoush and Rodri - when he returns from his latest injury setback - to shine in 2025-26, where City could find themselves in a fascinating four-way fight for title glory with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

“For me as well, having Rodri coming back and if he can get Phil Foden firing again," Dunne added. "They know everything about the club, they know everything about winning Champions League and Premier League.

"They'll be huge assets if he can get the best out of them again. Marmoush, a lot more to come from him. I think he's been a fantastic signing."

However, Dunne has also urged the club to ensure that Cherki can handle himself in the unforgiving world of English football, adding: "You just hope that Cherki can hit the ground running because the quality that he has, the technical ability that he has, they just need to make sure that he's physically up for the demands of the Premier League.”

The statistics that make Man City's Reijnders stand out

When compared to all other midfielders in Europe's big five leagues over the past 365 days, few are more of a threat than Reijnders in front of goal, both in terms of getting shots away and scoring said shots.

Reijnders sits in the top 3% of midfielders for goals per game and the top 2% for shots per game - averaging at least two per match - and if he is not shooting, the Dutchman can often be found progressing.

Reijnders sits in the 96th percentile of midfielders for carries per 90 minutes, and in the top 5% for carries into the final third and into the penalty area, averaging 2.66 and 0.77 per match respectively.

The 27-year-old has also been compared to Frank Lampard and Julian Alvarez during his earliest days at City, who have picked up an "X-factor player" in Reijnders according to a Sky Blues expert.

Richard Dunne was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of William Hill.