One thing that really sticks out with Fernandes' game: he is a really crap dribbler. Rangnick's system as
@Yagami alludes to in his post is exemplifying this weakness rather than covering it. He completes 0.73 dribbles per 90, which puts him in the 7th percentile for attacking midfielders / wingers (Fbref.com).
Comparison to similar-ish players to him in the league, it seems most are dribbling double what he does:
- De Bruyne completes 1.63 per 90;
- Havertz 1.41;
- Mount 1.44;
- Odegaard 1.06
- Bernardo 1.68;
- Benrahma 2.35
Not only this, but all of these players are in the 80th+ percentile for 'Progressive Carries' (which supposedly translates to carrying the ball at least 5 yards when in the middle or final third). Meanwhile, Bruno's progressive carries is in the 54th percentile.
Basically - he doesn't dribble a lot, and even when he does, he's not dribbling and carrying the ball forward a lot. Which, when you watch Fernandes, actually makes sense. He does almost everything first time, or he'll completely stop the ball and try an ambitious pass or shot.