Manchester City supporters have made their feelings known after the club confirmed Enzo Fernandez will wear the famous No.17 shirt.
The Argentina international officially joined City from Chelsea on a five-year contract, and the club subsequently announced his squad number. According to Manchester City, Fernandez will take over the No.17 shirt, following in the footsteps of Kevin De Bruyne.
That decision immediately sparked a huge reaction among City supporters on social media.
While some fans welcomed Fernandez and wished him well at the club, the dominant response to the announcement was one of surprise, disbelief and frustration.
Comments ranging from “Wtf” and “Oh no” to “That’s out of order that” quickly appeared underneath the post.
For some supporters, the issue was not necessarily Fernandez himself. Instead, it was the emotional significance attached to the number after De Bruyne’s extraordinary decade at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City fans stunned by Enzo Fernandez No.17 decision
The No.17 shirt is not an ordinary squad number at Manchester City.
De Bruyne transformed it into one of the most recognisable numbers in the club’s modern history. The Belgian wore it throughout his remarkable City career and became synonymous with the shirt.
So when Manchester City announced that Fernandez would inherit the number, supporters were always likely to have strong opinions.
One fan, MCFC Treble 2023, simply responded: “Wow.”
Another supporter, Mr Sunshine, took a much more positive approach, writing: “Congratulations Enzo.”
However, several other reactions were considerably more emotional.
One supporter wrote “DISRESPECT”, while another simply posted “Wtf.”
Those short reactions perhaps captured the mood better than anything else. There was a clear feeling among sections of the fanbase that De Bruyne’s old number should have been treated differently.
“Bro thinks he’s KDB”
Perhaps the most revealing reaction came from a supporter who joked: “Bro thinks he’s KDB.”
It was clearly a tongue-in-cheek response, but it highlighted the comparison that will inevitably follow Fernandez.
The 25-year-old midfielder arrives at Manchester City with an impressive reputation. The club describes him as one of the most complete and talented midfielders in world football.
Fernandez also arrives with major international and European experience.
He is a World Cup winner with Argentina and also lifted the Copa America. Before moving to City, he played for River Plate, Defensa y Justicia, Benfica and Chelsea.
There is therefore plenty of reason for City supporters to be excited about the signing.
But wearing No.17 at City means Fernandez will immediately be compared with one of the greatest players in the club’s history.
That is an enormous expectation to inherit.
Fans question why Fernandez was given No.17
The reaction was not limited to jokes.
Several supporters openly questioned the decision.
Henry asked: “Out of all numbers 17??”
Another fan posted: “what have we just done”, while the comment from H. was even more direct: “That’s out of order that.”
Meanwhile, other supporters responded with laughing and crying emojis, showing just how unexpected the announcement was for some sections of the fanbase.
It is important to stress that these reactions do not necessarily mean City supporters have turned against Fernandez.
Instead, much of the anger appears to be directed at the decision to immediately give the new signing De Bruyne’s iconic shirt number.
For a player arriving at a club undergoing significant change, that can create additional pressure before he has even played a competitive match.
Kevin De Bruyne’s legacy makes No.17 different
The reason behind the reaction becomes clearer when considering what De Bruyne achieved while wearing No.17.
The Belgian spent a decade at Manchester City and became one of the most influential players in the club’s history.
His passing, vision, goals and ability to decide major matches made him a legendary figure among City supporters.
The No.17 shirt became closely associated with those memories.
Manchester City’s own announcement acknowledges that Fernandez is following in the footsteps of De Bruyne. Before De Bruyne, the number had also been worn by Sun Jihai and Martin Petrov.
But De Bruyne’s era gave the shirt an entirely different meaning.
That is why Fernandez taking the number has created such a strong emotional response.
Not everyone is angry about the new City midfielder
Despite the negativity, there were also signs of support for Fernandez.
Mr Sunshine’s “Congratulations Enzo” was a clear example.
That is an important part of the reaction because Fernandez has not yet had the opportunity to establish his own identity at Manchester City.
Judging him solely through the history of the No.17 shirt would be unfair.
The midfielder now has the opportunity to create a new chapter.
If he performs at the level City supporters expect, the initial outrage could quickly become a distant memory.
Football fans are often emotional about shirt numbers, particularly when a legendary player has occupied one for many years. Yet performances on the pitch ultimately determine how a player is remembered.
Enzo Fernandez faces huge expectations at Manchester City
Fernandez’s arrival already carries considerable expectations.
Manchester City are beginning a new era under Enzo Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola as head coach in June 2026.
The club is therefore looking to build a new-look squad capable of competing for major honours.
Fernandez is expected to play an important role in that project.
His technical quality and experience could make him a key part of Maresca’s midfield.
However, taking No.17 means his introduction to the City fanbase comes with an additional storyline.
Every impressive performance will strengthen his relationship with supporters.
Every poor performance, meanwhile, could invite another round of comparisons with De Bruyne.
That is the reality of taking such a famous number.
“What have we just done?” sums up the reaction
Among all the reactions, the comment “what have we just done” perhaps best captures the unusual situation surrounding the announcement.
There was disbelief.
There was humour.
There was frustration.
And there was also genuine excitement about seeing Fernandez in a Manchester City shirt.
The reaction demonstrates just how important shirt numbers can become in football. To the club, No.17 may simply be a squad number. To supporters, however, it carries memories of one of the greatest players ever to represent Manchester City.
Fernandez cannot change that history.
What he can do is create his own.
City fans will ultimately judge Fernandez on the pitch
The No.17 debate will eventually be settled where it matters most: on the football pitch.
Fernandez now has the opportunity to make the number his own.
If he produces the performances expected from a player of his reputation, supporters may eventually associate No.17 with Fernandez as strongly as they once associated it with De Bruyne.
That will not happen overnight.
For now, the reaction shows that City supporters are still processing the decision.
Some fans welcomed Fernandez with open arms. Others were shocked that he had been handed De Bruyne’s famous number. A few even saw the announcement as disrespectful to the legacy of the former City midfielder.
But there is one thing everyone can agree on.
Enzo Fernandez No.17 has certainly got Manchester City fans talking.
And now, the new City midfielder has the perfect opportunity to answer the reaction with his performances.
