Pep can seal dream MCFC move with £100m "freak" who "can do anything", he’s Ferna 2.0 - opinion

Manchester City have been one of the most successful teams in the Premier League over the past decade or so in terms of the number of trophies they’ve won.

Since the 2010/11 season, the Etihad Stadium outfit have won six League cups, two FA Cups and five Premier League titles.

One figure in their current squad who has been a big part of that success over recent years is Fernandinho.

Since arriving at the Etihad back in the summer of 2013, the soon-to-be 37-year-old has gone on to make 378 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions. In that time, the Brazilian has scored 26 goals and provided 33 assists along the way.

With 28 appearances to his name this season, the midfielder has only started 14 times, as he looks to run down the final two months of his current contract.

Having claimed that this could be his last season with City, the club could have a big challenge on their hands to try and find a suitable replacement for the Brazil veteran.

However, there is one player with whom the Manchester club have been linked recently who could be a dream heir for Fernandinho – West Ham United’s Declan Rice.

Labelled a “freak” in terms of his physicality, the 23-year-old has also been described by former Irons team-mate Jack Wilshere as a player that “can do anything” on a technical level on the pitch.

From a defensive point of view, the England international has racked up a combined total of 585 tackles and interceptions in the Premier League since the 2017/18 season.

By comparison, Fernandinho has 313 tackles and interceptions to his name during the same period of time, highlighting just how tough the West Ham star is to play against.

With that in mind, and only two other midfielders in the Premier League having a