Player Focus: Fernandinho Not Offering Enough Protection to City's Title Defence

Five points adrift of table-toppers Chelsea, it's fair to say that Manchester City's start to the season has been a little sluggish, despite holding the second spot in the league going into the international break.

Their forwards have begun the season well enough, with Dzeko, Jovetic and Aguero notching 9 league goals combined, but the reigning Premier League champions have struggled to offer the defence enough protection at the other end. Much of the blame for that has fallen on the considerable shoulders of Yaya Toure, who has failed to hit the heights of last season thus far despite opening his league account against Aston Villa last time out.

It was a game that carried plenty of significance given that City, the visitors on the day, had failed to break down a stubborn Villa back line for the opening 82 minutes. When Toure did open the scoring there was a sense of inevitability about the goal given that Pellegrini's side had begun to completely dominate proceedings midway through the second half.

An enforced change saw Fernandinho limp off through injury to be replaced by Frank Lampard but it was the former's compatriot Fernando's introduction minutes later that changed the game. In acting as a shield for the defence the 27-year-old broke down any attempts from the home side to counter, ensuring the pressure remained constant and, importantly, that Toure had the license to play further forward.

The manager's pursuit of the Brazilian, signed from Porto in the summer, was an interesting one given that last season's midfield partnership of Toure and Fernandinho was so heralded. Pellegrini, however, clearly noticed that the goals from midfield had come at a cost at times and for all of Fernandinho's willing running, some inadequacies did go unnoticed that were showcased again at Villa Park.

The former Shakthar man was dribbled past on 4 occasions in the eventual 2-0 win, despite being forced off after just 55 minutes. The Brazil international can commit to challenges that he shouldn't and isn't as physically imposing as either Toure or Fernando, despite getting through his fair share of defensive work.

The match against Villa was not a one off either. Fernandinho was dribbled past more times than any other Premier League player last season (64) and has been beaten more often than any player with 5 or more appearances at this early stage in 2014/15 (every 25.4 minutes), having come off the bench 3 times.

It was indeed only injury to near namesake Fernando that allowed for the 29-year-old's reintroduction to the starting XI. It was the summer signing that started alongside Toure in the three opening league games before a groin injury in the last of those against Stoke forced him out for over a month. It was a game that City went on to lose - with Fernandinho his first half replacement - and while he could hardly be blamed for being left one on one with Mame Diouf, the feeling was that the midfielder was again beaten far too easily.

Fernando hasn't made a great number of tackles early on in his City career (1.8 per game) but it's his reading of the game and positioning that gives the side a stronger and more dependable platform from which to build. In comparison to his fellow countryman Fernando has been dribbled past every 61.5 minutes thus far.

Fernandinho's slow start to the season saw him miss out on a place in reappointed Dunga's Brazil squad but it was his role on that night against Germany in the World Cup that has arguably affected him the most. One of a number of players dropped from the summer's squad, many questioned how the embarrassed Selecao stars would cope and bounce back.

As far as Fernandinho's concerned, it is early days of course, it seems to be hanging over him. Last season's dynamic and all-action displays have waned to see him rank as the lowest rated City player in the league this season (6.48).

Fernando has not had to carry the same weight on his back. He's uncapped for Brazil, not really fitting into the national side's ideal of what a midfielder should bring to the side. For now, at least, his no nonsense approach is just what Pellegrini needs. While it's a harsh evaluation of a player that was so impressive in his debut campaign in England, City need a little less 'dinho and a little more 'do right now.

Who do you think should start in City's midfield? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below