Fernando is happy to have a key role in Manchester City's title defence this season.
Defeats against Bayern Munich and Barcelona - and losing twice to Chelsea in the league - proved to Manuel Pellegrini that holding midfielders Yaya Toure and Fernandinho weren't strong enough against elite opposition, which is where Fernando comes in.
"The manager told me direct that he needed a player that was good defensively to improve the team," explained Fernando.
"City have a really good team. They are the champions. But I feel I can bring a better balance, defensively.
"I get my pleasure from stopping the ball and passing it to allow strikers to score."
