Fernandinho has credited Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola for making his successful transition from defensive midfield to central defence as seamless as possible.
After City did not replace Vincent Kompany last summer, injuries to Aymeric Laporte and John Stones left Nicolas Otamendi as the only fit central defender earlier in the season.
Otamendi would later pick up an injury of his own, with Rodri dropping back into defence alongside Fernandinho for the fixture against Crystal Palace in October.
Despite the unforeseen injury crisis in defence, City were able to maintain some consistency at the back through Fernandinho, who has played all of his 31 appearances this season at centre-back.
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