Is Italian football stronger or English? Reynders, who joined from AC Milan during the summer transfer window, quickly became a key player for Manchester City. The 27-year-old Dutch midfielder shared his impressions and highlighted the key differences between Italian and English football.
He noted that there are more physical conflicts in the English Premier League, and the tempo and speed of the game are also higher. The fights there are a challenge on a separate theme: resistance and strength are needed every minute. In Italy, however, the situation is different - here tactics, team discipline, and schemes determine the logic of the game. "In the English Premier League, there's more physical wrestling, more tempo and speed. The fights you witness in the Premier League are a separate topic. In Italy, tactical football is played more often, while in England, football relies on strength. Here a person must be able to defend himself. I need to focus on learning how to develop this very trait in England," Reynders said.
Thus, he reflected on the criteria between the two leagues: in Calcio, the game relies more on positional thinking and planning, while in England, the playing threshold is determined by quick decision and physical pressure. Thus, according to this view, in Italy, tactical distraction of the opponent, proper distribution of the field, and timely replacement of schemes are priorities, while in England, overcoming opponent pressure, prevailing in duels, and maintaining a high tempo are decisive factors.
Reynders began his career in the Netherlands at Zwolle and Twente. Later, he was formed in the ranks of "Valveyk" and "AZ Alkmaar" and showed himself on the big field. Having represented AC Milan in the last two seasons, he has deepened his tactical culture and game discipline in Serie A. After that, he moved to "City," and the Manchester club transferred him for 55 million euros.
At City, from the very beginning, there was a need to adapt to the criteria of the game, inclined towards speed, dynamics, and physical strength. As Reynders himself noted, the ability to defend oneself in this league is measured not only by mental endurance, but also by physical endurance, determination in single combat, and the speed of reaction at the first step. At the same time, without losing the experience of positional play in Italy, he strives to assimilate the dynamics of England - it is this balance that strengthens his new role.
In fact, there is no single answer to the question "which league is stronger?" From Reynders' point of view, Italy is a tactical school, an environment dominated by the idea of the game; England is a school of high speed, physical resistance, and continuous pressure. The first requires reading the game intelligently, while the second tests physical fitness and reaction speed. Therefore, for many players, experience in two leagues becomes a complementary factor.
In Reynders' case, this pattern is evident once again: he began to feel like a leader at City by combining the tactical experience gained in Serie A with the Premier League mentality - strength, tempo, and competition. So, rather than the question, the answer is this: both environments are strong in their direction - and it depends on which space the player fully reveals their potential in. And Reynders is proving his readiness for this in practice.
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