Fernandinho agrees Man City contract extension

Fernandinho has agreed to sign a one-year contract extension that will keep him at Manchester City for the 2021/22 season.

The Brazilian has seen his game-time limited this season but his leadership and experience has been one of the driving forces behind City regaining the Premier League title. He has captained the club since the departure of David Silva last summer and remains a favourite of Pep Guardiola's.

Now 36, there were fears he could follow Sergio Aguero out the door when his deal expires in the summer. It was previously reported that the 36-year-old was considering a return to South America in favour of regular game-time, and wouldn't make a decision until after the Champions League final on 29 May.

But that was swiftly followed up by claims from The Telegraph that said he was 'set' to stay at City for another year. The Times now appear to have confirmed that, reporting that a deal has now been sealed to tie him down for at least one more season.

Speaking in his Player's Tribune column, Fernandinho revealed in April that Guardiola had placed the responsibility on him to turn the season around back in January, when City's title hopes looked to be fading. It's a challenge he rose to; City have won 32 out of their 36 matches in 2021 and stand on the brink of a famous league and Champions League double.

"It was not a good session. The attitude, the body language, the effort from some players, it was just obvious," he said of their New Year's Eve training session.

"You know exactly the kind of session I’m talking about, right? Misplaced passes, players not tracking back, not running, not looking interested. This was not us. This was not the team that had won two titles in a row, or that had set a record points total. 

"After that session, Pep came and spoke to me as captain, as the leader of the team. He was blunt. He told me that not everyone was at 100%. And, in this team, when you come to train, you do it at 100%, or you stay home. Once you enter the pitch, there is no conversation, no negotiation. 

"He was right. And he made it clear that the responsibility for keeping those standards rested with me."

Fernandinho has certainly embraced the responsibility and that could explain why he is happy to hang around for another season and help them defend their Premier League crown.