Man City nr 17: Enzo Fernández ja KDB nali, mis andis tagasilöögi

So Manchester City announced that Enzo Fernández will take the vacant No.17 shirt, and in the same breath decided to call it “following in the illustrious footsteps of club legend Kevin De Bruyne.” I don't know who wrote that press release, but they either have a brilliant sense of humour or they've never watched a minute of football in their life. Either way, the internet did what the internet does: it exploded.

Man City's No.17: Enzo Fernández and the KDB Joke That Backfired

The replies ranged from “Got'em” to “Typical Newc fan smh” to “What a way to tarnish De Bruyne's legacy...” And honestly, I can't remember the last time a shirt number caused this much chaos. But here's the thing: it's not really about the number. It's about what the number represents, and who's wearing it.

Is Enzo Fernández really “following in KDB's footsteps”?

Let's get one thing straight: Kevin De Bruyne is a Premier League legend. He's won everything, assisted everything, and basically turned the No.17 into a monument. Enzo Fernández is a very good midfielder who cost a lot of money and has shown flashes of brilliance. But calling him a successor to KDB is like calling a kebab a successor to a Michelin-star meal. It's not the same thing. Not yet, anyway.

The joke works because it's absurd. City's social team clearly knows that. They're not stupid. They're poking fun at the idea that anyone could fill those boots. And fair play to them for having a laugh. But some fans took it seriously, and that's where it gets spicy.

Why some fans are still salty about the World Cup

One comment stood out: “Yeah but Vardy was English and Enzo helped knock England out of the World Cup. That's a big difference.” And that's the elephant in the room. Enzo was one of Argentina's breakout stars in Qatar, and he played a part in dumping England out. For a lot of English fans, that's a wound that hasn't healed. So when City big him up, it rubs salt in it.

Is that fair? Probably not. But football fandom isn't fair. It's emotional, irrational, and petty. And that's why we love it. The residual hate after the World Cup is real, and it's colouring how people see this transfer. If Enzo had been, say, Dutch, nobody would care. But he's Argentine, and he broke English hearts. That's a factor.

The Keita comparison that nobody asked for

Someone tried to bring Naby Keïta into it, and I had to laugh. “I think you've misread it, they were saying at the time people rated Keita not about Enzo.” That's a whole different debate. Keïta was hyped to the moon and never quite delivered at Liverpool. Enzo is at the start of his journey. Comparing them is lazy, but it's also a reminder that expectations can crush a player. City fans should be careful what they wish for.

What I find funny is how quickly people forget that Keïta was genuinely rated before his move. He wasn't a flop because he was bad; he was a flop because he couldn't stay fit and never adapted. Enzo has time on his side. But he also has a massive price tag and now a shirt number that carries weight. Good luck, kid.

Shirt numbers are never just numbers

Here's a fresh angle: in modern football, shirt numbers are PR. They're marketing. They're a way for clubs to sell merchandise and create narratives. City knew exactly what they were doing when they gave Enzo the No.17 and mentioned KDB. It's a headline. It's engagement. And it worked, because we're all talking about it.

But it also puts pressure on Enzo. Every time he has a bad game, someone will say, “He's no De Bruyne.” That's the downside of the joke. It's funny now, but if Enzo struggles, it won't be. The club might have set him up to fail. Or maybe they believe in him. Only time will tell.

What I do know is that De Bruyne's legacy isn't tarnished. You can't tarnish a legacy with a press release. KDB's highlights are on YouTube forever. Enzo wearing No.17 doesn't change that. If anything, it's a compliment to KDB that the club still references him. It keeps his name in the conversation.

What I'd tell a mate

If a friend asked me about this, I'd say: don't take it seriously. It's a bit of fun. Enzo is a talented player, but he's not KDB. He might never be. And that's fine. Not every No.17 has to be a legend. Sometimes it's just a number. But if he turns out to be half as good, City will be laughing all the way to another title.

And to the fans still angry about the World Cup: get over it. Enzo didn't knock England out on his own. The whole Argentina team did. If you're going to hold a grudge, at least hold it against the right people. Or better yet, just enjoy the banter. Football's more fun when you don't take it too seriously.

Bottom line: City's social team are trolls, Enzo has big boots to fill, and the No.17 is now a meme. Would I buy his shirt? Maybe. But I'd wait until he actually does something in it.

Did Enzo Fernández really take Kevin De Bruyne's No.17 shirt?

Yes, Manchester City announced that Enzo Fernández will wear the No.17 shirt, which was previously worn by Kevin De Bruyne. The club's statement jokingly referred to it as following in De Bruyne's footsteps.

Why are fans angry about Enzo Fernández getting the No.17?

Some fans feel it's disrespectful to De Bruyne's legacy, while others are still bitter about Enzo helping Argentina knock England out of the 2022 World Cup. The combination has made the announcement a flashpoint.

Is Enzo Fernández the next Kevin De Bruyne?

No, not yet. De Bruyne is a Premier League legend with years of consistent brilliance. Enzo is a talented young midfielder with potential, but calling him a successor is premature and mostly a joke.

What does the No.17 shirt mean at Manchester City?

It's associated with Kevin De Bruyne, who made it iconic during his time at the club. Now it's a symbol of the pressure on Enzo to perform, and a bit of a meme thanks to the club's cheeky announcement.

Should Enzo Fernández be worried about the comparison?

He shouldn't lose sleep over it, but the pressure is real. Every bad game will bring out the 'he's no KDB' comments. If he focuses on his own game, he'll be fine. If not, it could weigh on him.