Fernando

[blues2win]

O Jogo has a good pic of the octopus arriving at Manchester Airport.

[Nigels Tackle]

O Jogo has a good pic of the octopus arriving at Manchester Airport.

car straight to greggs?

[ruralblue]

O Jogo has a good pic of the octopus arriving at Manchester Airport.

car straight to greggs?

Hope City treat him to a cake with his cornish pasty!

[lets all have a disco]

O Jogo has a good pic of the octopus arriving at Manchester Airport.

car straight to greggs?

Hope City treat him to a cake with his cornish pasty!

Come on fella it's steak bakes and festive bakes near crimbo.

[blues2win]

Don't octopuses like shell fish?

[Saul Goodman]

New Manchester City signing Fernando hopes to establish himself as one of the club's greats - and would love the chance to play alongside Yaya Toure.

The Brazilian joined the Premier League champions from Porto for £12million last month, increasing a pool of midfield players that includes the influential Toure, compatriot Fernandinho and Javi Garcia.

Toure's future at the Etihad Stadium has been the subject of much speculation over the summer but 26-year-old Fernando is keen to play alongside the dynamic Ivorian.

Fernando told the club's website: "City are known all over the world, football players are aware of Manchester City.

"It is a dream to be here and to be part of this great club. I also hope to become one of the club's great players.

"We know they are players with a lot of qualities - it won't be easy to get into that midfield, but with a lot of work, and I know how to give myself to work, every day I will give my best in order to have a chance to make a contribution to the team.

"The player I admire the most and I watch many of his games is Yaya Toure, he is a great player and it will be an honour to play alongside him."

Fernando was previously linked with City in January but a deal failed to materialise before the transfer deadline.

Even this summer, Fernando concedes the deal was far from straightforward.

He said: "It was a very difficult transfer, we had to face a lot of challenges in order to be here today but, thanks to God, everything went well and I am here to help Manchester City in the best way possible."

Asked what convinced him City was the right move, he added: "The club itself.

"Also it is a very strong league, it is one of the best in the world; the players in this club are the best players in the world.

"So, all good reasons to be part of it and so I am here now."

Fernando, who will wear the number six shirt at City, feels he made his mark at Porto and hopes to continue in much the same vein at City.

He said: "I left a good legacy at Porto. I hope I can repeat that at City, winning titles, playing regularly.

"That's what everyone can expect from me, willpower and dedication, always with the eyes on trophies, that's what City and I want."

Fernando earned the nickname of 'Octopus' at Porto, because he seemed to be everywhere and have a lot of legs, but another one, likening him to American president Barack Obama has also emerged lately.

He said: "The nickname is a bit complicated. I saw the photo and we have some resemblances, but it's better to call me Fernando!"

[MilnersJaw]

did he play in the WC much, if so, how did he do? After watching brazil embarrass themselves up against decent opposition...

[bigblue]

did he play in the WC much, if so, how did he do? After watching brazil embarrass themselves up against decent opposition...

he wasn't in their squad you mong

[phips]

in the scant game time we've seen from him what do people think?

[Foreverinbluedreams]

in the scant game time we've seen from him what do people think?

Absolutely awful, a waste of space, what were we thinking signing this fella. No better than Gelson Fernandes.

[sheblue]

far too early to make any comment. he needs to be given plenty of time. by December / January we should see what he is really about.

[Crossie]

Late bloomers are a bit worrying. Hopefully he can show up here . Class players settle immediately.

[Bluedj]

David Silva took six months to bed in

[Slim]

David Silva took six months to bed in

Rubbish.

[Ted Hughes]

For me, he hasn't done anything yet to merit a place in the 1st 11. He is obviously a good ballwinner, has a good touch & obviously can pass the ball, but he's not yet doing any of those things regularly to the required standard & therefore shouldn't get a place in the team until he does. Zucculini is playing better than him at the moment.

[Crossie]

David Silva took six months to bed in

Rubbish.

LOL Rubbish indeed. He was clearly World Class from the start of his City career.

[Cocacolajojo1]

LOL Rubbish indeed. He was clearly World Class from the start of his City career.

IMO he had a couple (literally) games at the beginning where he fell over like he was in the Spanish league but naturally wasn't awarded half as many free kicks, where it wasn't as obvious for the other players to give the ball to him and where he wasn't match fit. So let's give Fernando two games! :)

[Original Dub]

I remember Silva at the very beginning and he was not great at all for the first couple of months. Good, but no Merlin.

But I also remember he had little or no pre-season.

[DoomMerchant]

I remember Silva at the very beginning and he was not great at all for the first couple of months. Good, but no Merlin.

But I also remember he had little or no pre-season.

i don't remember it like that at all. I remember him seeming way tougher than we all imagined, and riding tackles and generally being very impressive nearly from the get go.

Some people have fucked up memories.

Are you all smoking crazy amounts of pot, or what?

cheers

[phips]

the first half tonight was the first time that i have seen Fernando earn his "Octopus" nickname. there were times were Fernando looked to be left behind but he then made up so much ground and showed surprising pace. those long legs of his are impressive.

he will just need to acclimate to the style of the premier league and once he does he could be a defensive beast