Enzo Fernández joined Manchester City for 125 million pounds and chose the number 17 shirt. The same one Kevin De Bruyne wore during a decade of glory at the club.
The Belgian did not stay silent. In an interview with the outlet Nieuwsblad, he acknowledged that the Argentine “has quality, potential and can become a very important midfielder”. But he immediately dampened the hopes of the fans who already imagine him as his successor: “Honestly, he’s not even close to my level”.
De Bruyne went further and pointed directly at the transfer fee and Fernández’s achievements with the Argentina national team, suggesting that both factors inflated an expectation that is still not reflected on the pitch. With 422 appearances, 108 goals, 176 assists and 18 titles at Manchester City before leaving for Napoli, his words carry the weight of a verdict. Now Enzo has the shirt and the number. According to his predecessor, all he lacks is the hardest part: proving it.