The transition at the Etihad has been made visually official by Fernandez’s choice of squad number. The Argentine has opted to take the No.17 jersey, a shirt that became synonymous with De Bruyne’s creative genius during his trophy-laden decade in Manchester.
While the number has historical significance at the club, Fernandez explained that his choice was rooted in personal history rather than a direct attempt to mimic his predecessor’s legacy.
The 25-year-old explained that he chose the number 17 shirt because of its connection to his early days with the national team. “It’s a number I like,” he stated during his unveiling. “It embodies me. It was my first number in the national team, so I’m very happy to choose this number.”