Fernando keen to help Man City extend winning Premier League run
Friday 18 September 2015 13:06, UK
Manchester City are in the midst of their best ever run of 11 league victories - but it's been a frustrating time for one of their big-money recruits from a year ago.
Sky Sports News HQ reporter Ben Ransom has been to meet the £12m midfielder aiming to make up for lost time..
Back in May Fernando played the full 90 minutes as Manchester City thrashed QPR 6-0 - a victory that helped ensure they at least finished as runners-up in the title race.
It wasn't all celebrations though for the Brazilian. Afterwards he was finally forced to concede that a groin injury he had been carrying wouldn't fix itself. He doesn't mind admitting he's been an unenthusiastic spectator ever since.
"It has been hard because as a player you want to be on the pitch helping your team-mates," he said. "But to be honest I needed the time off to recover properly."
The former Porto midfielder went back to Portugal during the summer to help his rehabilitation and to recharge the batteries. His recovery has kept him sidelined so far this season, but he returned to the bench for Tuesday night's Champions League match against Juventus.
Any burning frustration he might have at being kept out of the action doesn't show. He's in a relaxed mood and speaks calmly at an event for his sponsors New Balance.
Even so, now he's fit there is a determination to show the City fans the real Fernando.
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"I am going to come back stronger than ever. I feel very well at the moment, even though it was a tough injury. I've been working a lot in the gym trying to get stronger so the pain doesn't come back."
In his absence Manchester City have made a perfect start to the Premier League season. A new-look 4-2-3-1 formation has resulted in five wins from five league matches, and they're yet to concede a goal in the process. Unsurprisingly it's the best record in any of England's four divisions.
It has been hard because as a player you want to be on the pitch helping your team-mates. But to be honest I needed the time off to recover properly.
"Concentration has been very good which is why we've been able to score and not concede any goals," Fernando added. "We need to keep working very hard every day to maintain the run of victories."
City's relentless Premier League form has been in stark contrast to the side they're aiming to de-throne as champions. Chelsea have just one league victory and are already 11 points off the pace.
So does that rule them out of the race?
Fernando pauses to smile before answering: "It's way too early to speak about the title race. All of the big clubs here in England sooner or later end up being in the title race.
"It is a very difficult and long season. We cannot rule Chelsea out yet and they can make up the points they've already lost."
Manchester City play West Ham on Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1 from 5pm.
