Man City loanee impressing abroad – ‘Real killjoy for defences’, but ‘must become more tactically disciplined’

Signed from Zaragoza’s youth team back in 2013, Paolo Fernandes kicked off his seventh year as a Manchester City player this summer after a two-year loan spell with NAC Breda in Holland.

The attacking midfielder, who will have been very aware he wasn’t going to make the first team at the Etihad, was then sent to Perugia in Serie B in mid-July, where he has been an active participant in the club’s efforts to gain promotion to Italy’s top-tier.

Despite being yet to record a goal or an assist, the 21-year-old has been described by teammate Pietro Iemmello as a ‘real killjoy for the opposing defences’.

Used both out wide and as a trequartista, the playmaker appears to have ‘already carved his space’ in the first-team, despite Perugia’s manager making it clear no one is guaranteed a spot in the starting line up.

The only criticism coming his way, according to Massimo Oddo, relayed by Corriere dello Sport, is that he ‘must become more tactically disciplined and more precise, and more ruthless in front of goal’.

The Manchester City loanee has started all but one game for Perugia, who have yet to lose in all competitions, drawing twice against Juve Stabia and Spieza Calcio.