An irrepressible force on the pitch, Rodrigo is fast becoming another Manchester City legend…

 

The evolution of Rodrigo becoming arguably the best holding midfielder in the world has been fascinating.

Now in his fifth season with City, year on year, the Spanish holding midfielder’s influence has grown to such an extent, he has become irreplaceable.

Integral to all our successes since his arrival, he is the sort of player every manager in football would love to have, and at 27, he is only now approaching the peak of his powers with much more to come.

It was hard to see how anyone could replace Fernandinho and it took Rodrigo time to learn the Pep way after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019.

But he quickly adapted his game, learning off the Brazilian master and also the specific demands of his Catalan boss and developed into a player who is absolutely pivotal to the way City play.

It is no coincidence that following his sending off against Nottingham Forest earlier this season, the Blues lost all three games while he served his three-match ban.

Every game he has featured in before and after (up to the start of May), City were unbeaten.

Now, Rodrigo is hoping to help City end the season with two more major trophies to add to the 10 he has already won with the Club.

“We focus on ourselves,” says Rodrigo.

Jill Roord arrived at Manchester City in the summer of 2023 with an impressive CV, but even she surely can’t have envisaged how swift her transition to life at the Joie Stadium would be...

The Dutch international was on the scoresheet on her debut, cleverly feinting away from her marker and coolly slotting home City’s second in a 2-0 win over West Ham United.

She ended her first month in sky blue with three goals in as many WSL games before, in November 2023, drawing Gareth Taylor’s side level at Old Trafford with a clinical low finish as the visitors came away from the first Manchester derby of the season with a deserved 3-1 win.

Indeed, by the midway point in the season Roord had found the net eight times and provided three assists in just 16 appearances in all competitions.

However, in a cruel twist of fate, the Dutch international’s season was over on a chilly January evening at the Joie Stadium.

Just five minutes into City’s Continental Cup clash with Manchester United, the midfielder landed awkwardly when challenging for a loose ball with Katie Zelem.

It was a completely accidental collision, but it was clear that something wasn’t right in Roord’s knee and, a few days later, the worst was confirmed.

However, with a typically positive outlook, the midfielder is in high spirits as she begins to discuss the progress in her rehabilitation from an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

“Every day, actually!” is the immediate response when asked if she feels like she’s making progress, having recently come off crutches.

“It’s a good feeling. It's going really well, I'm very happy to walk again and every day I can do more and more.

“The knee is reacting really well, so that's the most important thing. 

“These moments give me a good feeling. I actually really enjoy training by myself and training with Tom [Butterfield, First Team Physiotherapist].

“I'm excited for the process actually to be able to run soon and I have already done some ball work, so these things have been nice moments and keep me mentally positive.”

Time away from the pitch and team-mates, particularly for a lengthy spell, is something that injured players often talk about being some of the toughest moments in their recovery.

But Roord has remained a key figure in the squad, even if her influence has to be felt from the sideline.

Her importance to the team was exemplified by City’s celebration in our first match since Roord’s injury, when the squad held up her shirt in solidarity after taking the lead against Tottenham Hotspur.

It therefore came as no surprise to see her at the Etihad Stadium when Gareth Taylor’s side maintained local bragging rights with a 3-1 win over Manchester United in late March.

An early Jess Park double, plus Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s record-breaking 68th goal for the Club, sealed what could be a crucial three points in our push for the title.

And while Roord would love to have been out there, it’s an occasion she won’t forget in a hurry.

She reflects: “Yeah [it was] really nice. Obviously for me it was the first time on the pitch, well sort of on the pitch! But no, the crowd was amazing.

“When we arrived, the people around the stadium and the dressing room and everything was very impressive. I've been in many stadiums, but it was amazing. I think it was an amazing game as well, so a good weekend. 

“Everybody was really happy [with the result]. I think they obviously really enjoyed playing there and then obviously winning such a big game there is important.

“The league is so tight, so this was a big game and we won very convincingly so everybody was very happy and relieved.”

With games coming thick and fast, Roord’s injury left Taylor with a significant conundrum, and numbers light in midfield.

But one player who has really stood up to the plate in the Dutch international’s absence is Jess Park.

Having been limited mainly to substitute appearances before the turn of the year, the youngster has been a regular in a central role since providing an important spark in a hard-fought 2-0 win over Leicester City in early February.

Since that victory over the Foxes, the England international has been named WSL Player of the Month, grabbed four goals and also added five assists in 10 matches.

It’s been a remarkable rise for a player who has been highly rated by both her manager and the rest of the squad for several years now, but Roord is delighted she’s taken her chance.

“It’s really good to see her play that well,” the midfielder said of her team-mate.

“I think in the beginning she didn't play much of this season and now she's really stepped up.

“To be fair against United I wouldn't say she won us the game, but she had a very big part in that and for a player that young that's something to be very proud of. She's done really well. 

“I haven't really given her advice, but I've actually spoken to her a lot like 'do your thing, enjoy playing' and also after games if she played well, I will tell her 'you did really well'.

“The only thing I've said, and I don't think I'm the only one, but she needs to shoot more. Well, she’s done that more recently so maybe we should keep saying that!”

City go into the final few weeks of the WSL campaign in pole position, but with reigning champions Chelsea hot on our heels.

It promises to be a thrilling end to the campaign as we search for a first league title since 2016, but Roord insists her team-mates aren’t getting carried away at this stage.

For her, a player with experience of winning league titles in two different countries already, a short-term focus is the best formula for a longer-term success.

She finishes: “I personally as a player go game by game because every game is important.

“We have Arsenal left and sometimes you might feel like that is the  game, but you can also mess up elsewhere, so it's very important to go game by game.

“Also, don't give yourself the pressure to look to Arsenal already. Just focus on the weekend.

“I think everybody is pretty calm. It's very clear that we have to win all our games.

“We go game by game. The last month, it's going to be maybe a little bit stressful, but also very exciting.”

Interview: George Kelsey

City vlogger Jason Hackett – better known as Prime Mutton – has become cult viewing for Blues on YouTube and social media. City Magazine caught up with the food, drink and bridge expert to sample the whole ‘Muttonista’ matchday experience…

City Mag: How did your Vlog begin?

Prime Mutton: “During lockdown, where, in my opinion, I became quite good at it through trial and error, so when City got to the Champions League final in Porto, the travel restrictions were lifted and I was hammering away on the refresh button to get my ticket and catch the first plane out. I hadn’t done a vlog before, so I thought I’d try and football version and combine my knowledge of food and drink – and my passion for watching City.”

What’s your background?

“I was born at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester and my first City game was with my mum in the 1976/77 season – a 2-0 home win over Norwich – and many years later I met Joe Corrigan who played in that game. I told him as much and he remembered the match because he had to wear a red goalkeeper jersey so as not to clash with the green and yellow Norwich kit!”

What is your ‘day job’?

“I was – and still am – a professional bridge player. That’s bridge the card game.”

How did that come around?

“I was head of the Bridge Club at Manchester Grammar School and also parental influences. I was a good chess player at the age of 11 and then I discovered bridge and thought that was more fun and interesting, so I focused on that. The last time I played chess I was Fool’s Mated! My bridge playing has reached a much higher level, I’m happy to say.”

You teach bridge around the world, don’t you?

“I do teach, yes, mainly for people who want to enter competitions. For example, a Chinese mining company invite me over once a year to take part in a tournament and this year, that meant I missed a lot of City games while I was away which meant begrudgingly giving my season-ticket away for games against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Bridge is a very skilful game, and it might have a reputation of 85-year-old ladies playing it at the local Conservative club with their friends - and there is an element of truth in that - but it also keeps older minds fairly sharp, which is a good thing. There is also a large competitive element usually among men between the age of 30 and 50 taking part in serious intellectual competitions. It’s by far the best card game there is – it’s just difficult to learn!"

Where is bridge most popular?

“All over the world, but what I can say is that when they have a Mind Sport Olympics, it is the best attended event at the tournament, more so even than chess.!"

What’s you biggest bridge achievement?

“At the Beijing Mind Sport Olympic Games, I won the silver medal. I’m not sure what my world ranking is at the moment as I’ve let it slip a bit recently, but at my highest, I was 30 in the world.”

Back to the vlog – where did the idea of food, drink and football come from?

“It actually started at the Porto game back in 2021. I got a lot of messages after my first City vlog, saying they liked the format and people from all over the world said they enjoyed seeing the matchday experience in that way. The format is based on what I would do when going to watch a City game – I would go for some nice food, have a few drinks, and then go to the game. I started getting a lot of comments from people who couldn’t get to watch City because they leave thousands of miles away, but through my vlog, they felt they were experiencing a game day, before, during and after. “

How do you choose your cafes, restaurants, and bars?

“I tend to do my own research. I know people in many cities and have loads of friends in London – many of them are foodies – and they will take me to places they know. Sometimes, I just choose somewhere off the bat and take a chance.”

Are more proprietors recognising you and what you do?

“Absolutely. I’m being contacted by gastro pub owners and publicans are now regularly inviting me to visit. The vast majority are very receptive towards what I do and if I don’t like somewhere, I don’t like upsetting people, so I’d more than likely quickly move on. I’ll just minimise the content I use and vice versa if I do like it!”

What’s the been the reaction of your fellow City fans?

“Very, very positive. You get the odd older fan who don’t quite get what I do, but the vast majority are incredibly supportive and friendly and I’m getting a lot of selfie requests when I go to games these days! I stop for as many as needed, so long as I can get my vlog done and not miss the game!”

What is your perfect match day?

“Food, some wine, and quality ale! Then I will go to the game and talk about the match and then have a few beers dissecting the game afterwards.”

How is the vlog edited and created?

“It’s just me talking into my phone camera, then upload the phone footage into my Mac Book and then load it into the editing software. While all that’s going on, I will create the thumbnail artwork which fit into the montage of the vlogs I’ve created so far – the people, places, and matches – and by the time that’s all done, I’ll begin the editing process and make sure I’m not repeating myself. Then it’s checking the subtitles and rendering it. It’s a six to eight-hour job, which is a lot more than many football vlogs.”

Have you met many fellow City vloggers?

“Yes, I’ve met James – JSM44 – a few times and he’s featured in a couple of my vlogs. I’ve met the MCFC Lads a couple of times and Big Steve, but I generally keep myself to myself. If any fellow vloggers want to feature in a food segment I’m doing, they’re more than welcome to.”

Where’s your favourite place to food vlog?

“I’d have to say China. It’s so different to what you see and imagine, but we’re lucky in Manchester that we have a large Chinese student population, so you can find authentic Chinese food if you look hard enough. It’s hard to get authentic food in Britain in terms of Turkish and Indian food. If it is where is my favourite place to drink, it’s Spain. I’ve spent time in Seville and the food and drink is incredible.”

If anyone is new to your Prime Mutton vlogs, where would you recommend they begin?

“One of my favourites was the 3-0 win against Bayern Munich in last season’s Champions League, and also the 3-2 win over Villa to seal the Premier League last season.”

And tell us about your legendary hat!

“Like everyone, you have to take influences from everywhere – there are three things in my vlogs that I’ve ‘borrowed’ from elsewhere. The leather hat and the coat are from Gene Hackman in the movie The French Connection because I loved that look his character Popeye Doyle had so copied it. I do love hats – I have fedoras, berets, Andalusian hats and many more, but not many of them will wash on matchdays! A couple of phrases I regularly use are also taken from things I love. ‘A quick slurp’ is a nod to my culinary hero Keith Floyd, and ‘You can’t beat a bit of Mutton’ is from the old 1980s game show Bullseye and the phrase is inspired by Jim Bowen’s ‘You can’t beat a bit of Bully!’.”

What’s Prime Mutton’s mission?

“A lot of people, when it comes to food and drink accept second best – and they shouldn’t – my mission is to direct fellow supporters and people who just enjoy the vlog to good bars and eateries to have something nice to eat and drink. For instance, in Madrid, most people gather at the main plaza but just five minutes away, there are fantastic places to get food and have a drink! If I can direct a few fellow Blues to these place, I’ll be very happy. A lot of people thank me for my recommendations and many tell me they will try and  visit some of the ones I cover next time they are in that city.”

Finally, how are your social media and YouTube audiences growing?

“Really well. I have almost 100,000 followers on my Instagram account and about 12,500 subscribers on YouTube which is growing nicely. Hopefully after appearing in the City Mag I'm hoping those numbers will grow again"”

Catch Prime Mutton’s YouTube vlogs – and there are more than 250 to go at – here and follow Prime Mutton on Instagram here.

Interview: David Clayton

The cover we created for the February 2009 City Magazine was reflective of a shift in purchasing power by the Club. 

Our new owners had completed their takeover almost as the previous transfer window closed, and as a consequence, Mark Hughes hadn’t been able to bring in all the players he wanted – so the January window was the perfect opportunity to strengthen his squad. 

The timing of four high-profile signings meant we couldn’t get an interview in the bag with any one of them, but it was important to reflect their arrival. 

Ultimately, getting four players on a cover is not easy, so we opted to go with a sort of football card theme. 

Nigel de Jong, Shay Given, Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bridge were all seasoned international stars with Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Wales, and England respectively. 

That meant we could go with pictures of them playing for their country (as we didn’t have photography of them all in their new City strip), and hence the ‘International Arrivals’ title, which worked quite well. 

White background covers always stand out, too, so overall, it looked pretty good! 

DC 

BAFTA award-winning screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh is a lifelong City fan.

His 2007 script for 'Control', based on the life of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis, raised an already-growing reputation in television to new levels and the 2017 movie Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool won Greenhalgh his first BAFTA.

Now, his work is once again on the big screen with the Amy Winehouse biopic 'Back To Black' movie debuting at No.1 in the UK box office in mid-April.

Here, Greenhalgh, who last spoke to the City Magazine in 2007, talks about his latest screenplay and, of course, City…

CITY MAG: Matt, why did you want to write about Amy Winehouse?

MG: “I think it’s when somebody’s personality and honesty connects with high art and talent - that can be in music and films, or anything – people feel they have a connection with them personally. I think that was the same with me, Amy didn’t feel she was above us. The way she presents that, with gobsmacking voice and the depths of her lyrics. You can’t help but fall in love with her in an artistic way. She resonates and she doesn’t go away. That’s the difference between Amy and a lot of artists. Unfortunately she left Earth too early, but creatively she’s stronger than ever. To me that’s testament to her and what she did in those few years when she was creating.” 

Control was also a terrific film – how did that come about?  

“So 24 Hour Party People, which I didn't really care for to be honest, was released and I was just thinking ‘that should be me. I should be writing that’. There's a bit of professional jealousy but I think that I don't mind that in retrospect, because it actually spurred me on to get in touch with the producers of Control because I'd heard that there was something going to be done about Ian Curtis that was happening and I went ‘alright, I'm going to do that’. So I got my agent to find out who the producers were, and it was two quite obscure guys from America, who'd got Debbie Curtis’ book Touching from a Distance, and acquired the rights. And once you get the rights to the book, you can get the film rights. They'd already had a script written by an American kid was a big fan of Joy Division, apparently, but Debbie didn't like at all and eventually, my name was put forward. So I met Debbie and Ian’s daughter Natalie, got on with them and after that they gave me the gig to go off and write the first draft.”

Things went well and the movie was well received, wasn’t it?

“When Control came out, they didn't even invite me to the premiere, which was at Edinburgh Film Festival!  I didn't see it. It was just like ‘forget about him. He was just the guy who wrote it’. Then it got in at Cannes and I had to pay for my own flights and my own room to go out to see it. I managed to get a ticket with my wife. We stayed by the airport or something. I wouldn't change that for anything because that experience just blew me away. I've not watched it again since, really. A couple of times you get asked at the festivals if, 'you want to watch it?' No, no, I can't. It's pretty hardcore stuff. Especially the end. Whereas that pulls no punches, I think with Amy it's different, a celebratory kind of feel to it.”

Tell us about City. How did that start for you? 

“It's interesting, right? So I'm from a family Reds and my granddad was on the door of Old , and my dad used to take me and my older sister and get in, but I just never took to the place. Just never enjoyed it, never liked it.  I played football - it's not like I was not into football or anything. And then my dad's twin brother – a City fan - took me to Maine Road in around 1980 or something like that. It was City versus Liverpool in the cup. I just felt, ‘I'm here’. Just that Moss side area, the walk to the ground, the feeling of the blueness of it, just I don't know if something to do that subliminally gets in your mind but the colour of it all and the people. It's not that I was a United fan anyway, I wasn't. I was a nobody fan - and I just then became, you know, a City fan and I started going with my uncle a bit more and then at school, I started to go pretty much every home game into the Kippax, I had a season ticket after that.”

Do you miss Maine Road?
“Yeah, no one really likes change. I mean, we had our own pubs. We'd meet in the Welcome Inn in Rusholme and then we'd walk down and then the Sherwood on the way, a lot of it was to do with drinking. Then get in and watch the game, have about 10 pints at half-time! So the whole routine of the of the day was really set. I felt that sort of was part of it as well as well as the group that I was with. But then, you know, people started growing up and for a few years, I drifted away from it all, focused on being a dad and my writing career - but then I came back! I went from Arsenal to Real Madrid to United in the FA Cup to Istanbul. I was on tour. It felt great. I had no guilt because the kids are older now. It was just fantastic. Every game. And I'm very proud of where we’ve come from, it's like, why not us? Competing with the best and winning stuff and you know that should be the norm, but it could take a bit of time to get used to that, especially when you didn't really win anything. I was there at Wembley in ‘99. That was just like the biggest day I've ever, ever had. I was out for three days after that in London, I didn't get home! But yeah, it’s right we are now one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Do you think Pep would be a good subject for a film for you? 

“Yeah, I think so. But he's got another chapter to write. Hopefully with us, who knows?  As a sports movie, I think that's how you'd have to approach it with Pep. It's a sort of intellectual dive into Pep’s mind, almost like Moneyball. You go into that kind of aspect of how he revolutionised the game. And that's how you'd approach it – not as a tragic rock'n'roll story - hopefully. “

Following on from our interview with Matt Greenhalgh, here selects his all-time City XI – and he’s going old school!

Matt says: “This is more of a Hacienda era team for me from the time I was going home and away to watch the lads. Each of these players, they always gave their all for City. You couldn’t ask for more. Including manager Brian Horton who had history against us with Luton! Jewel In the crown was obviously Kinky… unbelievable skill on the ball - Pep would have him in today definitely!”
 

Formed in 1977, Mancunians of a certain vintage will nod approvingly at one of the city's elder statesmen bands - with several City fans among their number. Drummer Donald Johnson takes on our Q&A...

So, how many of the band are Blues?
The main Blue in the band was always Denise Johnson, she adored the club, her energy and excitement for the team was unrivalled. We unfortunately lost Denise in 2020, but her beautiful voice, infectious laugh and love of people, coupled with her passionate support of Man City stays with us.

 

ACR started life with Rob Gretton - a huge Blue of course - what were those days like?
RG was a huge City fan, in his early days he would attend the matches with his old school friend Steve McGarry and In later years he would go with Mike Pickering (Quando Quango/M People) and photographer Kevin Cummins.

 

Tony Wilson was a massive Red - did you chat about football often?
I never really talked football with AHW. He was a huge mentor and friend, I was deeply intrigued by his day job, he was such an accomplished TV Presenter/Journalist, I would go to Granada TV regularly to watch him and Bob Greaves present their daily 30 minute live shows.

 

For those who never got to go, what was the Hacienda like and did you play there?

The Hacienda was great club! There was something fantastic happening every night, I remember seeing The Smiths while they were still building a following, supporting Factory artist 52nd Street and Martin Moscrop (ACR) was mixing their live sound. My favourite time playing there was when me and Bernard Sumner (New Order) were asked to put a band together, made up of Factory artists to perform live on a TV show called The Tube - Madonna was also on that show, it was her first UK televised performance. We’ve a history of firsts with Madonna!

 

What's the secret of ACR's longevity?
Always leading from the front, not standing, still pushing as many boundaries as possible with Music/Culture and Perception, we embrace our past, we don’t dwell on it.

Despite the band never having any mainstream hits, your reputation has always been big in Manchester hasn't it?
We’ve always been well known in MCR, a lot of bands here cite us as a reference to when and why they started out. MCR is a small place with a mass of talent, and sometimes, that there London isn’t ready!

 

How often do you get to games?
Denise would go when she could, outside of recording and the touring schedule

 

Best/worst memories of City?
When City won, Denise would be cockahoop and shouting it from the rooftops and her social media would be dancing with love, that is what we always think about City now.

Did you ever hear a ACR record at Maine Road?
No, this needs to be rectified, surely the new single ‘All Comes Down to This’ is perfect for City’s end of season run!

 

So, what's the plan for 2024?
We’re touring the new album from 25 April, culminating in a show in Manchester at New Century on 17 May. Then we’ll be looking at some more releases for the end of the year and play festivals and Europe.

 

If there's one ACR record people should seek out that sums the band up, what would you recommend?
It’s impossible to sum up ACR with one album, but a great start is to listen to last year's 1982 and the new album It All Comes Down to This, that really gives a glimpse of the diversity in ACRs music and both take influence from the past and most importantly, the future.

 

Finally, what's the new material like and where can people catch the band live?
The new album was made with Dan Carey (famous for working with Wet Leg, Fountains DC and Slowthai), we stripped everything back and have made an album that is like nothing we’ve done before but that has distilled the very essence of our musical DNA. We are so proud of it. The tour starts on 25 April in Huddersfield, we'll be visiting Leeds, Blackpool, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Norwich, London, Bedford, Portsmouth, Brighton, Birmingham, Hull, Sheffield and Bristol and finishing in Manchester on 17 May at New Century.

Full list of dates here...

Celebrating CITC

City recently celebrated its charity, City in the Community (CITC) during City’s 5-1 Premier League win over Luton Town.

Prior to the day, CITC participants were tasked with drawing Manchester City players for the matchday graphics, with ten young people winning a special experience.

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for local school children included mascot spaces, taking part in a team photo on the pitch before kick-off and announcing the players off the bus on the blue carpet.

Following the game, one participant was even able to interview player of the match, Mateo Kovacic.

Elsewhere, the Etihad came come alive with charity branding ahead of kick-off, including a centre circle displayed by community coaches and a large banner in the family stand, to help raise awareness of City in the Community’s identity and purpose.

The City squad also showed their support by wearing City in the Community branded t-shirts during the pre-match warm-up.

To help further raise awareness of the day, City manager, Pep Guardiola, also sported a City in the Community branded top during his post-match press conference.

The day was organised to help raise awareness of the Club’s charity and its work to empower healthier lives through football.

Commenting on the day, CEO of City in the Community, Michael Geary, said: “It is really important for us as a charity that we have opportunities like today to raise awareness, raise understanding and give the fans knowledge about what their club is doing in the community and ultimately we want the fans to feel proud of what their club is doing to support people n the community.

“It’s been special to see local youngsters enjoying the game and their unique experiences today. They are all huge City fans, but some had never been able to attend the Etihad before, so we really have made dreams come true.”

Vickie, whose son Cole was provided with the opportunity to take part in the blue carpet experience, said: "Cole had a brilliant time. It was amazing from start to finish. Thank you, City in the Community!"

 

Opposition view

As the action-packed final furlong of the 2023/24 Premier League season intensifies, City are once again fighting for the league crown.

After winning three straight titles from 2021 to 2023, Pep Guardiola’s side are relentlessly pursuing an unprecedented fourth.

Before the shutters fall on the campaign, we will lock horns with Wolves, Fulham, Spurs and West Ham.

Here’s who to look out for in Fantasy Premier League for our opponents…

Matheus Cunha is Gary O’Neil’s team’s current highest scorer in FPL after enjoying a strong season so far.

The versatile forward has scored 11 goals and registered six league assists across 28 outings – his best return in a single season – which has helped him to a total of 121 points.

Elsewhere, Bernd Leno is Fulham most productive asset in the game this season with the German goalkeeper boasting a tally of 121, too.

His best single return of the campaign came in a 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park where he kept a clean sheet and produced an impressive nine saves in 90 minutes.

With Tottenham looking to qualify for the Champions League before the term’s end, their talismanic forward Son Heung-min could play a huge part in helping them into Europe.

The South Korea international has a staggering 186 points to his name so far in 2023/24 after scoring 15 goals and registering nine assists in the Premier League.

What’s more, he has 32 points in his last six outings in FPL.

Finally, James Ward-Prowse could be West Ham’s key player in City’s clash with the Hammers in the final game of the league campaign.

Following his move to the capital from Southampton in the summer, the midfielder has totalled 134 FPL points so far.

In his maiden season with David Moyes’ side, he has scored six goals and registered seven assists.